Meet Rachel
Every child has a unique story.And every family knows that story a little differently.As a parent, you see your child in ways that no one else does. You know their strengths, their personality, what makes them laugh, what is hard for them, and when something just doesn't feel quite right.I believe that perspective matters.My role is to bring another perspective, help you make sense of what you're seeing, and work with you to figure out what might help. Sometimes that means parent consultation. Sometimes it means partnering with your child's school. And sometimes, therapy for your child is the right next step.Whatever brings you through my door, I want you to feel heard, supported, and understood.My hope is that our work together gives you a clearer picture of what your child needs and greater confidence in how to support them at home, at school, and beyond.
My Story
Supporting children and families has been the focus of my career from the very beginning.
I earned my bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan, where my interest in child development and human behavior first took shape. After graduation, I joined the New York City Teaching Fellows and moved to the Bronx to begin my career as a public school teacher while earning my Master's in Education from Hunter College (CUNY).
As much as I loved teaching, I quickly realized that children couldn't fully engage in learning until their social and emotional needs were being met. Before they could focus on reading, writing, or math, they needed to feel safe, connected, understood, and confident. I found myself drawn to supporting the whole child, not just their academic growth.
That realization inspired me to pursue a Master's in Social Work at the University of Chicago. I wanted to deepen my understanding of children's emotional well-being and develop the clinical skills to support not only children, but the families and relationships that surround them.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of working in both public and independent schools, serving for many years as a school social worker before transitioning into my current role as a school counselor. Today, I also serve as a reading teacher providing learning support, which gives me the opportunity to support children from multiple perspectives while staying closely connected to the everyday realities of school life.
Throughout my career, I've worked closely with parents, teachers, administrators, and multidisciplinary teams to help children navigate academic, social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Those experiences have reinforced something I believe deeply:
Children thrive when the important adults in their lives understand what's happening and work together to support them.
That belief is at the heart of my private practice.
I created Rachel Helming Counseling, LLC to give families a place to slow down, make sense of what's happening, and figure out what comes next. My work focuses primarily on parent consultation and support and school collaboration, with individual therapy available when direct support for a child or adolescent is the right fit.
I believe parents bring invaluable knowledge about their children, and my role is to bring another perspective, help parents feel more confident, and work together to figure out what might help.
Whether we're talking about what's happening at home, navigating school, or supporting a child through therapy, my goal is the same: to help children thrive at home, at school, and beyond.
My experience in both education and mental health allows me to look at your child's experience from multiple perspectives.
I understand what it looks like when a child is struggling in the classroom, what parents experience when they're trying to figure out what's going on, and how schools work to support students.
I continue to work full time as a school counselor, so I'm not just familiar with schools from my past experience. I'm in one every day. I see firsthand what children, adolescents, families, and educators are navigating right now.
That perspective helps me connect the dots between home, school, relationships, learning, and emotional well-being and think about how those pieces may be affecting one another.
Whether you're trying to understand a change in your child's behavior, navigate a school concern, or decide whether your child needs additional support, I can help you step back, look at the bigger picture, and figure out what might help.
Why my background matters?
What I Believe…
Children do well when they feel understood.
Parents know their child better than anyone else.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting a child.
Every child has strengths worth building upon.
Parents deserve support, too. You shouldn't have to figure everything out on your own.
The best support happens when the important adults in a child's life communicate and work together.
Home and school are connected, and understanding the whole picture matters.
What makes my approach unique?
🌱 I start with strengths.
Your child is more than the challenge that brought you to me. We'll look at what they're good at, what they enjoy, what matters to them, and what is already working.
🤝 Parents are at the center of the work.
You know your child best. Your perspective matters. I'll bring another perspective, help you make sense of what you're seeing, and work with you to figure out what might help.
🏫 I understand schools from the inside.
I don't just have experience working with schools. I still work in one. As a teacher, school social worker, and now school counselor, I've seen the school experience from multiple perspectives. I understand the expectations, relationships, and systems that shape children's everyday lives at school.
💬 We focus on what you can actually use.
Whether we're talking about home, school, or therapy, I want our conversations to be useful. You shouldn't leave wondering, “Okay, but what do I actually do with this?” We'll focus on practical ideas that make sense for your child and your real life.
❤️ I look at the whole picture.
A child's behavior doesn't happen in a vacuum. We'll consider what's happening at home, at school, with friends, and within your child, along with the strengths and challenges they bring to each situation.
🌎 There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Every child and family is different. The support we choose will depend on your child's needs, your family's circumstances, and what makes sense for you. Sometimes that's parent consultation. Sometimes it's school collaboration. Sometimes it's therapy. And sometimes it's a combination
Education & Credentials
Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical (LCSW-C)
Maryland
Master of Social Work
University of Chicago
Master of Education
Hunter College, CUNY
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
University of Michigan
20+ Years Supporting Children, Adolescents & Families
Across public and independent school settings
Current School Counselor Providing Learning Support
Independent School
A little more about Rachel…
When I'm not working with children and families, you'll usually find me biking or walking with my family, cheering on my two boys, strength training, practicing yoga, reading, or enjoying a very necessary cup of coffee. And, of course, keeping up with our BichPoo mix, Maggie.
Maggie is a big part of our family and may occasionally have a role in the practice, too. She's not a therapy dog, but she's very friendly and has two modes at the office: excited to greet you or curled up snuggling with a client. If a child isn't a dog person, she's perfectly happy to give them their space.
I want my practice to feel warm, welcoming, and comfortable rather than overly formal. We're doing important work, but there should still be room for personality, humor, and being yourself.
And sometimes, a little Maggie snuggle doesn't hurt either.
I consider it a privilege when families invite me into their lives.
Over the course of my career, I've seen how much can change when a child feels understood and the adults around them have the support and information they need.
My hope is that our work together helps you feel more confident, your child feel more understood, and your family feel better equipped for whatever comes next.
Warmly,
Rachel