Welcoming in October: Ally Helleksen, MA, LADC

Ally values working with individuals using a person-centered, individualized and nonjudgmental approach to mental health care. She is passionate about mental health care and utilizes a mind-body approach to wellness, regularly acknowledging the role our nervous system holds and how it impacts our emotional health. Ally combines curiosity and compassion to build a supportive environment towards emotional growth and wellbeing. She encourages individuals to find empowerment in their own needs, values, and identity. Ally strives to create a warm environment to be present with the experiences of both the joy and uncomfortable and painful things in life.

Ally has experience working with stress management, substance use, anxiety, depression, family of origin challenges, life transitions, relationships, identity development, young adulthood, and co-occurring disorders. Ally draws on strategies from an attachment-based lens, valuing the ways early-life relationships and experiences shape our view of ourselves, others, and the world around us. In addition, she draws on the following treatment modalities, but not limited to, Polyvagal Theory, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Attachment Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). 

Ally graduated with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bethel University. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and is currently under supervision while working toward Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) licensure. She has experience working in inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder programs and working on a college campus setting.

 

Welcoming in September: Shane O'Reilly

Shane (he/him) is an intern starting at Birch Counseling in the fall of 2025. He is a former educator with over twenty years of experience teaching high school students writing and literature and supporting other educators in achieving their goals. 

Believing the root of many educational challenges to be in mental health, Shane decided to start a new journey as a counselor. He is excited to bring his experience and desire to help others on their own journey. He believes that every individual is unique, and is passionate about working with clients to help them better understand their thoughts, emotions, and the wonderful and sometimes challenging intersection of the two.

Shane uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as existential and person-centered approaches. He was trained in Mindfulness as an educator and brings that expertise to his practice as well. He works with teens and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, emotional dysregulation, life transitions, and other diverse challenges.