Bethany Lutheran College professor Helena Stevens spotlights trauma-informed counseling

Dr. Helena Stevens, an associate professor in clinical mental health counseling at Bethany Lutheran College, is being featured for her work in counselor education, trauma-informed care, and mental health advocacy. Her profile highlights her teaching, clinical practice, and efforts to prepare future counselors while pushing for more equitable mental health and education systems.

Why it matters: - Helena Stevens’ work sits at the intersection of counselor training, clinical care, and mental health advocacy. - Her role shapes how future counselors are prepared to serve diverse and underserved populations. - Her focus on trauma-informed care and equity reflects broader pressure on higher education and mental health systems to improve access and outcomes.

What happened: - Influential Women featured Helena Stevens, PhD, LPC, LSC, PPS, NCC, on July 22, 2026. - Stevens is an associate professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Bethany Lutheran College. - Stevens is based in the Greater Minneapolis–St. Paul Area. - Stevens is described as a counselor educator, mental health counselor, school counselor, and psychometrician.

The details: - Stevens teaches foundational counseling courses, oversees residency components, advises students, and contributes to program accreditation and assessment development. - Stevens said her teaching blends research, practical skill-building, and advocacy to help students build competence, empathy, and ethics. - Stevens provides virtual outpatient counseling with a trauma-informed focus. - Stevens also facilitates group counseling for people in drug and alcohol inpatient treatment. - Stevens has advanced training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, and experiential learning methodologies. - Stevens has worked as a school counselor across all levels from kindergarten through postsecondary education. - Stevens has also served as a practicing therapist and counselor educator. - Stevens works as a senior test developer for a calibration engineering education company, supporting psychometric testing and accreditation initiatives. - Stevens is authoring her first textbook on university-level supervision in counseling programs. - Stevens’ research interests include mindfulness, wellness, social justice advocacy, school counseling, assessment development, program evaluation, and experiential interventions. - More information is available on Stevens’ Influential Women profile.

Between the lines: - Stevens ties her advocacy to childhood experiences in a trauma-affected household with parents facing addiction. - That background appears to inform her emphasis on compassion, resilience, and support for overlooked populations. - Stevens sees systemic and institutional barriers in higher education as a major obstacle, especially for women of color. - Stevens also argues that counseling and education need more evidence-based interventions and stronger research-to-practice pipelines. - Her advice to emerging professionals centers on authenticity, mentorship, networking, and choosing work that aligns with long-term goals. - Stevens frames self-care and mindfulness as necessary parts of sustainable leadership, not optional extras.

What's next: - Stevens will continue teaching, mentoring, and contributing to accreditation and assessment work at Bethany Lutheran College. - Stevens is expected to keep advancing her textbook project on counseling supervision. - Stevens is likely to expand her research and professional leadership work around counselor preparation, wellness, and equity.

The bottom line: - Stevens’ profile presents a counselor educator using classroom teaching, clinical practice, and advocacy to strengthen the pipeline for future mental health professionals.