Jada Helmer

My journey to becoming a Mental Health Therapist started in a small country town in Southern Illinois, where my backyard was a cornfield, and my pastime was hiking the trails of Giant City State Park. I earned my bachelor's in psychology and anthropology from Southern Illinois University and my master's in clinical mental health counseling from the University of North Florida. Today, I am a licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Qualified Supervisor (QS-MH) for future therapists. In 2019, I established my private practice, Just Keep Swimming Counseling, LLC, and in 2021, my group practice, Keep Evolving Beyond Therapy (KEBT). My counseling experience began in the non-profit sector, where I truly began to swim. I live by my values, and advocacy for mental health is at the heart of my work. This is reflected in my work as an advocate for survivors of sexual assault and a counselor for teens in diversion programs and adults coming out of our penal system. Since this time I have switched to working in the private sector, where I perfected my stroke via training and experience. I developed a Substance Abuse Group for teens, as well as worked as a Clinical Director of an Intensive Outpatient Program for Substance Abuse. I believe that there is no “one glove fits all” for addiction, but offers individuals multiple evidence-based methodologies. My specialization lies in dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), a treatment I have been intensively trained under Dr. Sharon Manning, DBT-Linehan Board of Certification Clinician. I offer adherent DBT treatment, including DBT Skills Classes, DBT individual therapy, phone consultation, and a consulting team. I am also trained in RO DBT and offer individual and RO DBT Classes for clients struggling with overcontrolled diagnoses. Additionally, I serve as the Clinical Director of KEBT's IOP-SUD. Beyond my clinical experience, I am a firm believer in putting on my own life jacket first. So, when not in the office, you can find me engaging in a variety of self-care activities: hiking, reading, exercising, spending time with my fur babies (Jar Jar Binx, Princess Leia, Rey, and Mo MO) and friends, eating good food, and watching TV Shows.