Helena Washington, M.Ed., LCDC, ICADC, MAC, is a licensed addiction specialist, mental wellness, and behavioral health diversity authority, with over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and preserving family systems. Due to Helena’s clinical rooting in mental health, her passion is working with a holistic and collaborative approach to mental wellness, as well as educating communities, organizations, and corporations. She has worked for treatment programs, in corrections, acute care settings, as a clinician, program manager, and many years in private practice.

She obtained her Bachelor Degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Grambling State University, and her Master’s Degree in Counseling in 2001, from Bowling Green State University, with a focus on brain trauma, addiction, mental and emotional health, physical wellness, diversity, adolescent, and women’s concerns.

As a CBT/DBT trained practitioner, Helena is also trained in Trauma & Grief Component Therapy-Adolescents and Adults, a part of the Texas Children’s Collaborative Group for Trauma Care, and Trauma Informed Care. Presently, she runs her private practice and behavioral health consulting firm, BraveBird Recovery and Wellness, PLLC, in Houston, Texas. Additionally, Helena is the current President, Houston Chapter Texas Association of Addiction Professionals Board ( State of Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, governed by NAADAC); on the Houston Harris County Office of Drug Policy Committee; NAADAC’s Critical Issues in the Black Community Committee, former Board of Directors, Liberian Association of Greater Houston, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

This dedicated mother of three, grandmother of one, immigrated to the United States from Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, as a child. She describes her greatest professional success as being an integral partner in the process of healing that takes place in those living with disruptive behavioral health challenges and promoting family preservation.