Life and relationships can be hard.
We know.
Maybe you’ve never tried therapy. Maybe you did and it didn’t go so well.
Simply put, we believe therapy should be therapeutic.
Insight is not enough.
We use science, skills, and relationship to give you what you need to unlock your transformation.
Karen J. Helfrich, LCSW-C, LICSW (She/Her)
Psychotherapist, Owner
Hi, I’m Karen!
I founded Avalon Psychotherapy Associates in 2015 in the belief that real transformation is possible.
Today we have science, theory, and practice that extend beyond insight-based talk therapy.
If we ask, “what’s wrong with you?” we’ve asked the wrong question.
Instead we ask, “what happened to you? How did you adapt? How is that adaptation no longer serving you?”
We can leverage how the brain works to unlock healing and create real change.
Our core values are social justice, high quality, competent services, compassion, and lifelong learning.
Welcome to the Avalon Community!
Your Healers
Amy Kirby, LMSW (She/Her/They/Them)
Psychotherapist, Intakes & Social Media Manager
Areas of Specialization
- LGBTQ+
- Couples
- Polyamory/Non-monogamy
- Highly Sensitive People
- Trauma-Informed
- Anxiety/Depression
- History of Substance Abuse
- Relationship Challenges
- Self-Esteem/Personal Boundaries
- Kink/BDSM
- Sex Work
- Prior Negative Therapy Experience
Credentials
- Licensed Masters Social Worker
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy + (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Christina Fennell, MA, NCC, LPCC, LCPC (She/Her)
Psychotherapist
Areas of Specialization
- Eating Disorder Recovery
- Self-Esteem/Self-Worth
- Anxiety/Depression
- Body Image
- Binge Eating
- Intuitive Eating/Health At Every Size
- LGBTQ+
- Trauma-Informed
Credentials
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Alyson Mullie, LMSW (She/Her)
Psychotherapist
Areas of Specialization
- Grief & Loss
- Chronic Illness
- Depression
- Self-Esteem/Interpersonal Boundaries
- Relationship Challenges
- LGBTQ+
- Polyamory
- Kink/BDSM
Credentials
- Licensed Masters Social Worker
- DBT Skills
Stephanie Schuster, M.Ed., LMSW (She/Her)
Psychotherapist
Areas of Specialization
- Families/Couples
- Intimacy
- Sexual Response/Dysfunction
- LGBTQ+
- Polyamory
- Kink/BDSM
Credentials
- Licensed Masters Social Worker
- Masters in Human Sexuality Education
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level III Fall 20