Helena Sclavakis
Becoming a Relationship Therapist
I started my journey working with couples at the beginning of the pandemic doing volunteer work through providing pre-marital coaching. I’ve worked with couples in which one or both partners are recovering from addiction. Through my experience, I’ve seen how an intimate relationship can be both a healing process, where partners can help each other grow, or a harming one, where behaviors towards each other can have a negative toll on the relationship. My goal is to help couple’s adapt their behaviors to allow the relationship to progress in a more positive and healing way.
Counseling Philosophy
It is okay to seek extra support to help us reach our full potential. We all may experience barriers that keep us from reaching our hopes, dreams, goals and aspirations. We may have difficulties experienced in the past still lingering in our present life. Taking the first step to start counseling is an achievement in itself. My goal is to help you through these barriers and guide you closer to becoming your best self.
My Counseling Style and Strengths
It is important to be truly heard and understood in order to receive the right support needed. I value creating a safe space for my clients to feel comfortable in bringing any type of problem into the session. There will never be any judgment as I always maintain an open-mind and collaborate with you so there can be progress towards your goals.
I utilize motivational interviewing to help clients make progress towards the change desired.
I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy to assist clients to implement new behaviors and thinking that benefits their lives.
Professional Counseling Background
My experience is working in an outpatient setting for alcohol and drug addiction. I have facilitated individual, group and couple therapy. I’ve counseled individuals with dual diagnoses, including anxiety and mood disorders. I’ve worked with clients from diverse populations, including LGBTQ+, various socioeconomic classes, and race/ethnic backgrounds.
Professional Therapist Credentials and Training
- M.A. Marital and Family Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Gottman Training Level 1
Hear From Our Clients
Hear from those who've experienced positive changes through our services.
“Dr. Dana made me feel so seen. I never felt shame for the trauma I’d caused. It was so healthy and helpful to find ways to navigate our conversations.”
“Thank you so much! It exceeded my expectations. You made me feel comfortable and supported.”
“I learned I need to take a 20 minute break when flooded, ask for clarity in facial expressions, use gentle startup and take ownership even if its small.”
“Gave me many tools and insights, I’m excited to implement them.”
“I couldn’t have had a better experience. Dana is so caring and smart and easily helped us navigate through our issues.”
“I learned that I need to ask for my needs and also take a break when I feel flooded.”
“I had an excellent experience, it helped me get clarity and learn valuable tools.”
“Dana was really effective at explaining the research, helping facilitate the conversation with figuring out how to address our biggest challenges.”
“Really pleased with the experience. Absolutely exceeded my expectations.”
“This helped lower the walls in our relationship.”
“Dana is superb, gracious, and kind. We’re very grateful.”
“I gained the clarity I was looking for!”
“Grateful to our extended therapist and her extended time! And of course, her dog!”
“The intensive process and longer sessions are incredibly helpful to push things further and get real work done.”
“The three-day package was necessary to enable the “emotional stretch” and that’s when we saw the best results.”
“This was a much needed intense session but helped promote healing and focus to decide where we go in life together.”
“This was well worth it and I’d definitely do it again!”
“This helped us sit and have uncomfortable conversations that were long overdue.”
“Exhausting but I loved everything about this!”
“This helped us have epiphanies and transformative thoughts.”
“Thank you so much for taking the time to really understand our issues and providing us with all the tools to use when future issues arise.”
“I feel like we have made huge progress on major issues with these three days.”
“Everything made me feel safe and comfortable here.”
“Therapist is great at listening and helping us with communication.”
“Absolutely, it was better than I expected and gave us great tools.”
“Empathetic and responsive.”
“Very accommodative and understanding.”
“I definitely feel Therapy Getaway helped with our relationship goals because it allowed a deeper dive in a structured fashion, with tools to continue improving our relationship.”
“Great session. They know their stuff and is really good at helping us find the language to effectively communicate.”
“They were incredibly instrumental in relating all the tools that my partner and I needed in areas where we struggle.”
“Therapy Getaway absolutely helped our relationship. They were amazing.”
“This was a very beneficial process. Dana made it easy for us to open up about every difficult issue we had been struggling with. We now have good tools.”
“It seemed at first that 2.5 days was long, but it feels so good to be in therapy that I wish it was 3-5 days!”
“Therapy Getaway immensely helped us talk about our problems in a safe place.”
“Dana is very experienced and sensitive to peoples situations and knows how to make you feel comfortable as if you were in your own home.”
“Learned a lot of coping tools. Dana was wonderful.”
