ABOUT Helene

Helene Bringsli
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

Helene Bringsli is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #142961) and EMDR Therapist, specializing in couples, trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, and OCD.

Helene integrates a compassionate, yet direct approach that empowers clients to explore their emotional experiences in a safe and non-judgmental space. Her clients often describe her as kind, deeply caring, and someone who is genuinely invested in their personal growth. Helene is particularly passionate about helping clients navigate trauma and the complexity of relational dynamics, both individually and within the context of couples therapy. She works from an attachment-based and relational lens, with a focus on how early life experiences shape present-day emotional responses and relationships.

Helene’s training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples allows her to work effectively with partners to address issues such as communication breakdown, emotional disconnection, and relational conflict. She creates a collaborative and supportive environment where couples can reconnect, strengthen their emotional bonds, and gain a deeper understanding of each other’s needs. Helene’s belief in the healing power of relationships extends beyond the therapy room, as she believes that the connections we build, whether with others or with ourselves, are integral to personal growth and well-being.

In addition to her expertise in relational work, Helene is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based modality for trauma. EMDR is particularly effective in helping clients process distressing memories and reduce the emotional intensity of trauma. Helene combines EMDR with mindfulness and mind-body techniques to support nervous system regulation and help clients build emotional resilience. Her holistic approach addresses the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of healing.

Helene is often described as kind, deeply caring, and someone who is genuinely invested in their personal growth.

Helene also has training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a treatment that is effective for OCD, phobias, and other anxiety-related issues. With her specialized experience, she helps clients face their fears and break free from the cycles of avoidance and anxiety that often accompany these conditions. Through ERP, Helene guides clients in gradually confronting distressing thoughts or situations, enabling them to build tolerance and reduce anxiety.

Helene holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy from Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology. Since completing her degree, she has worked in a variety of clinical settings, with teens, adults, families, couples and groups.

Helene provides an affirming space, recognizing the importance of creating a welcoming environment for clients from diverse backgrounds. She believes that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and respected, and she works to create a therapeutic space where her clients can express their true selves without fear of judgment. Helene’s own experience of immigrating to the U.S. and navigating two cultural identities informs her clinical practice.

 Outside of her therapy work, Helene loves weightlifting, travelling, beach days, sunshine and gaming. She approaches life with balance, making time for activities that bring her life and joy, as well as peace and relaxation. 

Helene works under the license and supervision of Becky White, LMFT #93760.

 
“Our lives don’t often equip us for the kind of deep connection that a relationship represents. So like with anything you do for the first time ever, you are going to fall & it’s bound to leave a bruise. A good counselor not only helps you both get back on your feet but also guides you on how to take a step forward together into something truly special. Our therapist was there to help us do exactly that.”
— Client, September 2023