Savannah Helton
MSW, LCSW
For over 15 years I have worked with women of varying ages & backgrounds, all navigating common challenges across the lifespan: relationships, sexual orientation & identity, violence & sexual assault, pregnancy, early parenting, caregiver strain, chronic illness, traumatic grief & loss. I hold a Masters Degree in Social Work from Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College in New York City.
As a queer therapist, I have special interest in providing supportive, affirming & competent mental health care to lesbian, bisexual, queer and questioning women. Additionally, I have extensive experience and advanced training in treating Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) for anyone who is pregnant, postpartum or in the trenches of adjusting to early parenthood.
I became a Social Worker because I am passionate about systemic-level change to improve the material conditions under which we all live. I initially intended to work in community organizing. Ultimately, I decided to stay with 1:1 work because I firmly believe individual healing is a radical act of collective liberation.
After nearly 2 decades in the non-profit & medical industrial complexes, I founded my private practice, A Rising Change, in 2025. It is truly one of the greatest honors & privileges of my life to do this work.
From hotline volunteer at the New York City Anti-Violence Project
to Social Worker for Planned Parenthood of NYC
to Therapist for the Perinatal Behavioral Health Service at Washington University
to serving on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Abortion Fund,
I have always been motivated by the words of activist Angela Davis:
“You have to act as if it is possible to radically transform the world.
And you have to do it all the time.”
A Little More About Me
I am a white, able-bodied, cisgender, queer woman: all important identities that impact both how I experience the world & how the world treats me. I am also an eldest daughter, a first generation college student, childfree by choice & a very proud aunt to two precious babies. I am from St. Louis, but spent all of my 20’s in NYC where I became an adult & started my professional career.
As a hardcore summer enthusiast, if it’s warm outside I spend my free time walking in the park, patio sitting, or finding any other outdoor activity so I can soak up the sunshine. Otherwise, I’m a bookworm curled up with my grumpy 18 year-old cat reading non-fiction/social science, sapphic romance, horror or literary fiction novels. I enjoy traveling & camping with my partner & searching together for unique trinkets (that we definitely don’t need) at thrift shops & antique malls.
At this time, my ambition for crochet & gardening exceeds my knowledge & talent, but that’s not going to stop me from trying.
Philosophy & Values
My work is grounded in intersectional feminist and liberatory psychology frameworks. These systems-level lenses acknowledge you, your symptoms & your struggles do not exist in a vacuum. Societal, cultural & political structures are central factors in the understanding of human difficulties & impact each person differently. These realities shape our sense of self, our relationships, and impact our safety.
It is crucial for the therapy space to feel as safe as possible for folks seeking help, but sadly, that isn’t always the case. I acknowledge the harm that has been caused by and continues by both white feminism and the social work profession itself. I believe to be silent the face of harm is to perpetuate that harm. As such, I obtain regular supervision and/or consultation and education focused on anti-racism & bias, working with queer clients & navigating privilege & power dynamics in the therapeutic space.
Personally and professionally, I am committed to the advancement of human rights, support bodily autonomy, gender-affirming care and respect the dignity, humanity & autonomy of intentionally disenfranchised communities.
In experiencing the care and connection we need, we become able to make the changes we want to see in our lives & in our world.
My Approach
First and foremost, I value a collaborative therapeutic relationship and center you as the expert in your own experiences, which positions us as partners in your therapy process. We are a team. You might have a particular concern bringing you to therapy, but you might need help figuring out where to start. Either way, I am here to listen & work at your pace with whatever comes.
Often therapy begins by considering ways to improve your most distressing symptoms so you can feel better in your day-to day life. To accomplish this, I employ evidence-based modalities like CBT, DBT & mindfulness skill building which can offer relief from acute distress, as needed.
With practice & support along the way, you’ll build skills & develop perspective to help you navigate your challenges. As our relationship develops over time, I will provide observations & feedback to address long-standing behavior patterns or themes that concern or impact you.
I utilize intersectional feminist & liberatory frameworks, which means we’ll talk about the systems we operate within & examine how they impact your mental health & experience of life. Untangling the ways these messages & systems affect your mind and impact your functioning is a powerful catalyst toward living a more fulfilling & authentic life.
In using this lens, a new path forward emerges. We’ll have the opportunity to explore & clarify your priorities & value systems so you can actively create more meaning, purpose or joy in your world.
My practice is trauma-informed, attachment-based, strengths-based, and I’m a Health at Every Size provider.
