Sincere Practice with Helen Bass

Helen Bass
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Most of us were never taught how to really know a person, including ourselves. On Sincere Practice, Helen Bass, LCSW, practices it out loud through thoughtful guests, films, and lived cultural experience. Inspired by David Brooks’ How to Know a Person, it’s a place to ask better questions, listen closer, and grow more compassionate. For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for professional mental health care, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In crisis? Call or text 988.

  1. Sep 4

    Therapy, Time, and The Odyssey: A Deep Dive into Professional Growth | Emotionally Healthy Series 04

    Join the Sincere Practice Podcast as we discuss the unpredictability of life and the realities of becoming a licensed therapist.In this episode, I sit down with Jeanie Lo to talk about the transition into professional practice. This conversation is for anyone interested in the mental health field or those navigating the complexities of personal growth. We break down the philosophical concept that too much lightness can be unbearable and apply it to the work of a licensed therapist. Jeannie shares her perspective on the challenges of the profession and what it actually takes to succeed when a perfect defense is impossible. You will gain insight into the mindset required for modern therapeutic practice. Subscribe for weekly mental health discussion breakdowns, and let us know in the comments what topic you want us to cover next. 0:00 The Illusion of Happiness and Achievement 1:53 The Grueling Path to Licensure 4:38 Diving Into the Odyssey 7:36 Odysseus as His Own Villain 10:20 Why This Is Nolan's Most Poetic Film 12:52 Tom Holland and the Coming of Age 18:39 Engagement as a Requirement for Growth 23:40 Confession and the Cost of War

    Therapy, Time, and The Odyssey: A Deep Dive into Professional Growth | Emotionally Healthy Series 04

  2. Aug 31

    Postpartum, Ambition, and the Identity Shift: A Real Talk with Michelle Yu | Emotionally Healthy 03

    Managing postpartum depression while balancing a career is incredibly difficult. Learn how to navigate these challenges and prioritize presence with your kids with Josie co-founder, Michelle Yu. In this episode, the conversation focused on the mental health journeys of high-capacity women navigating motherhood and ambitious careers. The discussion explored identity shifts, systemic barriers, and practical tools for thriving in both personal and professional spheres. The realities of postpartum depression and anxiety among high-achieving women Shifting identity after becoming a parent and redefining personal success Systemic challenges women face in the workplace, especially regarding parental leave Supporting both maternal and paternal mental health in modern organizations Balancing presence and productivity as a working mother and entrepreneur Follow Michelle Yu Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-m-yu/ Learn More about Josie: https://myjosie.com/about/ Follow Helen Bass Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenbass/ Sincere Practice Website: https://www.sincerepractice.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PKhvz3pdVMabqVxfF9Bgi Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sincere-practice-with-helen-bass/id1704419016Subscribe for weekly parenting and career balance insights. Let me know in the comments: what is one way you have found to disconnect from work and be fully present with your family? Time Stamps 00:00 Addressing postpartum advocacy issues 04:54 Balancing career and starting a family 08:31 Navigating early motherhood challenges 10:29 Paternal mental health discussion 15:57 Supporting leadership diversity 17:11 Supporting team members better 20:24 Differences in parental leave policies 26:50 Confidence and career progression for women 28:56 Finding self-validation 31:38 Discovering personal growth and creativity 34:26 Kids inspiring creativity and pushing boundaries 37:34 Balancing work and family priorities 41:13 Childhood memory video story 44:02 Starting the company Disclaimer: This video is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health therapy, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or a qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have. If you are in crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

    Postpartum, Ambition, and the Identity Shift: A Real Talk with Michelle Yu | Emotionally Healthy 03

  3. Aug 23

    How to Avoid the Urge to 'Fix' Others with Jeanie Lo, LPCC | Emotionally Healthy 02

    Join this warm, reflective conversation as two friends and therapists, Helen Bass & Jeanie Lo, unpack insights from David Brooks' "How to Know a Person." - Explore what it truly means to see, know, and connect with others—both in therapy and everyday life. - The art and challenge of restraining the urge to "fix" others - How silence in conversation can deepen understanding and emotion- Insights from therapy work: knowing a person vs. assuming you know them - Humility, forgiveness, and seeing people as multi-dimensional - Personal stories of feeling illuminated and diminished in relationships Follow Jeanie Lo - Linkedin: https://www.creativeheartscollaborative.com/team/jeanielo - Therapist Profile: https://www.creativeheartscollaborative.com/team/jeanielo Follow Helen Bass - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenbass/ - Sincere Practice Website: https://www.sincerepractice.com/ - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PKhvz3pdVMabqVxfF9Bgi Disclaimer: This video is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health therapy, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or a qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have. If you are in crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Time Stamps 00:00 Feeling Seen by a Friend 05:50 Struggling to socialize with peers 12:29 Identifying and overcoming personal blocks 19:01 Understanding Dialectical Behavioral Therapy 26:44 Becoming a therapist changed me 30:46 Dealing with assumptions in relationships 37:51 Deciding not to pursue MFT 39:05 Understanding Relationship Conflicts 45:28 Being affected as a therapist 53:47 Reflecting on personal growth 59:58 Finding peace through rituals 01:01:54 Becoming a Couples Therapist 01:06:50 Understanding and Resolving Differences

    How to Avoid the Urge to 'Fix' Others with Jeanie Lo, LPCC | Emotionally Healthy 02

  4. Aug 16

    Why Does Peace Feel Unsafe in a Relationship? | Emotionally Healthy Series 01

    Explore why calm, healthy relationships can feel uncomfortable or suspicious to someone accustomed to emotional instability. Cover nervous system regulation, hypervigilance, and emotional safety. If you grew up in chaos — unpredictable love, emotional vigilance, the need to read the room before you could rest in it — your nervous system may still be running a program that treats stability like a threat. We cover: - Why your body rejects peace even when your mind wants it - Neuroception: how your nervous system detects safety (or doesn't) before your brain catches up- The three nervous system states and why you default to fight, flight, or freeze in connection - How to start retraining your body to tolerate safety — without forcing yourself to "just relax" - Five practical takeaways you can start using this week- For women of color navigating relationships, faith, motherhood, and the patterns they inherited — this one's for you. 📌 Key concepts: emotional safety, polyvagal theory, neuroception, secure attachment, nervous system regulation Time Stamps 0:00 Why Your Body Rejects Healthy Love 0:30 The Nervous System's Survival Instinct 3:06 Neurosception: The Body's Silent Judge 7:45 Retraining Your Nervous System for Peace 11:23 Five Steps to Building New Baselines Disclaimer: This video is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health therapy, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or a qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have. If you are in crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

    Why Does Peace Feel Unsafe in a Relationship? | Emotionally Healthy Series 01

  5. Aug 5

    Conversation | Church Hurt & Biblical Counseling

    In this episode, Helen Bass talks to Gower Lee - Biblical Counselor at New Life Presbyterian & online instructor at Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation. Gower & Helen chat about church hurt, anxiety, and healing from a biblical lens. Learn more about Gower - Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gowerlee/ - Gower's bio - https://rootedministry.com/bios/gower-lee/ If these videos help you think differently, subscribe and join me each week. Connect with Helen - 🌿 Therapy: www.sincerepractice.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenbass/ 🎥 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@itshelenbass If you're new here, I'm Helen Bass. I'm a licensed therapist, educator, and content creator passionate about making psychology practical and accessible. I create videos that help people understand themselves, build healthier relationships, navigate cultural identity, and grow into lives that feel authentic—not just successful.A little about my journey... • Earned my Master's degree in Social Work. • Became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). • Founded Sincere Practice, where I work with individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, relationships, and identity. • Specialized in working with Asian American and multicultural communities while advocating for culturally responsive mental health care. • Expanded into teaching, speaking, and creating educational content to bring therapy beyond the therapy room. • Currently pursuing opportunities in research to improve culturally competent mental health care, therapist training, and trauma-informed practice. Today, my mission is simple: To make psychology understandable, evidence-based, and genuinely helpful for everyday life. Here you'll find conversations about: • Psychology & mental health • Relationships & attachment • Asian American identity & culture • Trauma recovery & emotional wellness • Career, purpose, and personal growth Whether you're healing, growing, or simply trying to understand yourself better, I hope these conversations remind you that meaningful change starts with awareness. Educational Disclaimer The information shared on this channel is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered psychotherapy, medical advice, or a substitute for working with a licensed mental health professional. Watching these videos does not establish a therapist-client relationship. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a qualified mental health provider. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:10 Meet Gower Lee: From Teacher to Biblical Counselor 04:20 Gower's Journey into Ministry & Seminary 10:21 Balancing Motherhood, Ministry & Calling 14:18 Helen's Story: Therapy, Trauma & Becoming a Therapist 16:03 Biblical Counseling vs. Clinical Therapy 23:27 Understanding the Root of Anxiety & Addiction 29:12 Why We Can't Control Everything 32:41 God's Power, Weakness & Everyday Grace 35:48 Healing from Church Hurt 43:39 How to Begin Healing After Church Hurt 48:06 Avoiding Compassion Fatigue as a Counselor 53:13 Building Community as a Counselor 57:18 Final Encouragement & Closing Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sincerepractice.substack.com

    Conversation | Church Hurt & Biblical Counseling

  6. Jul 30

    Personal Reflection | Therapist Reflection on Growth

    Why does someone choose to become a therapist? In this deeply personal reflection, licensed therapist Helen Bass shares the story behind her journey into therapy—from sitting in a dusty therapy office as a struggling teenager to building a private practice as a licensed clinical social worker. This isn't just a story about becoming a therapist. It's about losing sight of your calling, rediscovering purpose, learning to be present, and realizing that healing begins long before we help others heal. Along the way, Helen reflects on anxiety, depression, generational trauma, spiritual formation, deep work, and the books that have shaped her thinking—including How to Know a Person by David Brooks, Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard, and Water from a Deep Well by Dr. Gerald Sittser. If you're a therapist, counseling student, helping professional, or someone searching for meaning and purpose, this reflection is for you. timestamps:0:00 Why I Became a Therapist 1:10 Grad School and Feeling Behind at 22 2:03 My Own Therapy Journey at 18 3:11 The Sacrifice of Becoming a Licensed Therapist 4:08 Grad School Through COVID and a Changing World 4:44 Losing Myself While Chasing Ease 5:24 Finding Meaning in Struggle 6:19 eturning to My Calling 9:09 Outro #Therapist #MentalHealth #Therapy #Healing #Purpose #LCSW #Psychology This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sincerepractice.substack.com

    Personal Reflection | Therapist Reflection on Growth

  7. Jul 22

    Why is it that I feel worse after therapy, sometimes? Therapist Answers your Question

    Have you ever left therapy feeling emotionally drained, overwhelmed, or even worse than when you walked in?You're not alone.In this video, licensed therapist Helen Bass explains why therapy can sometimes feel harder before it starts helping. We'll discuss vulnerability hangovers, nervous system responses, shame after opening up, emotional awareness, grief, trauma recovery, and why healing is rarely a straight line.You'll also learn when feeling worse is actually a normal part of therapy—and when it's important to bring those concerns to your therapist.Whether you're new to therapy or have been attending sessions for years, understanding why difficult emotions show up after therapy can help you approach healing with greater self-compassion and realistic expectations.If you enjoy practical mental health education, trauma recovery, emotional wellness, therapy insights, and psychology, consider subscribing for future episodes!

    Why is it that I feel worse after therapy, sometimes? Therapist Answers your Question

  8. Jul 15

    Toy Story 5 Isn't Really About Screens. It's About Maternal Mental Health

    What does Toy Story 5 reveal about the maternal nervous system, attachment and the fear of being replaced? In this psychological analysis, licensed clinical social worker Helen Bass explores why a child’s growing independence, friendships and screen use can feel like rejection—even when the parent-child bond is not actually disappearing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sincerepractice.substack.com

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Most of us were never taught how to really know a person, including ourselves. On Sincere Practice, Helen Bass, LCSW, practices it out loud through thoughtful guests, films, and lived cultural experience. Inspired by David Brooks’ How to Know a Person, it’s a place to ask better questions, listen closer, and grow more compassionate. For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for professional mental health care, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In crisis? Call or text 988.

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