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

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

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.

Christopher Nolan's Memento offers a unique lens on non-linear storytelling and how our attention span is actually edited, not broken. Explore the connection between this film and Cal Newport's theory on deep work.This breakdown examines the intersection of Memento analysis and modern focus habits. If you have ever felt that your ability to concentrate is fragmented like a film cut too many times, this discussion provides a new perspective on narrative structure and productivity. We look at how the editing choices in Nolan's breakout film mirror the challenges of maintaining focus in a world defined by constant, rapid-fire content.Beyond just the cinematic techniques, we connect these ideas to broader cultural shifts, including the influence of Asian culture on pacing and perception. By understanding why stories refuse to stay linear, you gain a better grasp of how Christopher Nolan films challenge our cognitive processing and why Cal Newport deep work principles are more relevant than ever for reclaiming your mental space.Subscribe for weekly film theory and productivity breakdowns!

Can vulnerability become your greatest business advantage? Discover how one entrepreneur turned mental health struggles into a powerful brand, built meaningful relationships, and landed partnerships with major companies through authenticity instead of perfection.In this inspiring conversation, the founder of Sad Girl Cookies, Shannon O'Donoghue, shares her journey through depression, faith, entrepreneurship, burnout, rest, self-worth, therapy, boundaries, personal growth, and building a business that puts people before profits. If you're a business owner, creator, entrepreneur, or someone navigating mental health while chasing big dreams, this episode is packed with valuable insights.Follow Sad Girl Cookies Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadgirl.cookies/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sadgirlcookiesWebsite: sadgirlcookies.com✨ Listen until the end to learn why authenticity often outperforms perfection.👍 Share & Subscribe for more conversations on entrepreneurship, mindset, faith, self-development, and personal growth.#SadGirlCookies #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #BusinessPodcast #Faith #SmallBusiness

Family relationships can be some of the most meaningful connections in our lives.

They can also be some of the most complicated.

For many Asian Americans and children of immigrant families, family is deeply connected to identity, culture, faith, and belonging. We are taught to honor our parents, respect our elders, and prioritize family needs above our own.

FREE Communication Guide - https://app.notion.com/p/Free-Guide-Communicating-Boundaries-for-Asian-Women-37bf79f67f1580019e2edc14726fba00?source=copy_link

Read full article for free here: https://sincerepractice.substack.com/

For many of us, hard work isn’t just a habit it’s a survival strategy.

Growing up in immigrant families often meant hearing stories of sacrifice, resilience, and perseverance. We learned that success comes from working harder, pushing further, and never giving up.

While these lessons can be empowering, they can also create an unhealthy relationship with achievement.

Because what happens when you’re already exhausted?

What happens when the advice to “work harder” only leaves you feeling more depleted?

When Hustle Stops Working

Traditional hustle culture tells us that if we’re not seeing results, we need to do more.

* More hours.

* More effort.

* More productivity.

* More sacrifice.

But many people aren’t struggling because they lack discipline. They’re struggling because they’ve been operating in survival mode for years.

* The problem isn’t laziness.

* The problem is exhaustion.

The Hidden Cost of Constant Productivity

When your value becomes tied to your output, rest starts to feel uncomfortable.

You may find yourself:

* Feeling guilty when you’re not working.

* Thinking about work even during time off.

* Struggling to enjoy accomplishments before moving to the next goal.

* Believing that slowing down means falling behind.

Over time, this cycle can lead to burnout, anxiety, and a constant feeling that no amount of achievement is enough.

Success Shouldn’t Require Self-Abandonment

Many first-generation professionals carry both personal ambitions and family expectations.

This creates an invisible pressure to prove that the sacrifices made on our behalf were worth it.

But success doesn’t have to come at the expense of your mental health.

A meaningful career isn’t built through endless exhaustion.

It’s built through consistency, clarity, and sustainability.

A Different Definition of Ambition

What if ambition wasn’t about doing more?

What if ambition meant creating a life that supports both achievement and well-being?

Instead of asking:

“How can I push harder?”

Try asking:

“How can I build success in a way that I can sustain?”

The answer may involve:

* Setting healthier boundaries.

* Prioritizing rest.

* Defining success on your own terms.

* Letting go of unrealistic expectations.

Rest Is Not the Opposite of Success

One of the biggest mindset shifts is recognizing that rest is not something you earn after burnout.

Rest is part of the process.

When we allow ourselves to slow down, reflect, and recover, we create the capacity to show up more fully in our work, relationships, and lives.

Reflection Question

If success didn’t require exhaustion, what would you change about the way you work today?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Subscribe for more conversations on mental health, identity, faith, and building a meaningful life without sacrificing your well-being.

Sincere Practice Letters by Helen Bass is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Eldest daughters emotional responsibilty. What it means. What I have learned. And What I have learned not to do.

Sincere Practice Letters by Helen Bass is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

What does it mean to truly belong? In this heartfelt conversation, Helen Bass, Gina, and Nilifer explore identity, faith, cultural experiences, immigration, race, belonging, self-worth, and the journey of becoming comfortable in your own skin. From growing up in multicultural environments to navigating life as Asian women in America, this discussion uncovers how family, community, spirituality, and personal growth shape who we are. If you've ever questioned whether you fit in, struggled with self-doubt, or searched for a deeper sense of purpose, this conversation offers powerful insights on healing, authenticity, connection, and finding your place in the world.

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If you are an Asian woman navigating anxiety, identity, family pressure, relationships, faith, or the quiet exhaustion of always holding it together — you do not have to process it alone.

At Sincere Practice, I offer therapy and coaching for women who are ready to become more honest, grounded, and connected in their lives.

Therapy is for deeper emotional healing, mental health support, anxiety, grief, relationships, cultural identity, and the patterns that keep showing up in your life.

Coaching is for women who are ready to grow with intention, build healthier inner narratives, strengthen their relationships, and move toward a life that feels more aligned, spacious, and true.

If you are ready to stop performing your way into belonging and start becoming more fully yourself, I would love to connect with you.

Begin here: https://www.sincerepractice.com/

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/6Pas6TC4a-Y?si=ZCqtrFDHYic57zyb