Influential Woman · Psychotherapy
Helen Ceballo-Hernandez, Ph.D.
Ph.D.
Psychotherapist, HCH Therapy, Counseling & Consultation, LLC
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
I took one student loan my first PhD semester, then paid out of pocket working two jobs, living frugally, and relying on tuition reimbursement to make it work.
Helen Ceballo-Hernandez, Ph.D. · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Helen
Helen Ceballo-Hernandez is a psychotherapist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, who has practiced professionally since October 2018. Before entering the mental health field, she worked as an educator, holding a master's degree in adolescent education, and later pursued a master's in clinical mental health after encouragement from mentors and colleagues redirected her career path. She went on to complete her Ph.D. in educational psychology at Andrews University, building a professional foundation that spans both clinical practice and academic instruction. Through her practice, HCH Therapy, Counseling & Consultation, Dr. Ceballo-Hernandez works primarily with couples, individuals, and business professionals, with a particular focus on executives, founders, and senior leaders navigating high-pressure environments. Her approach draws on applied psychology and behavioral frameworks to help clients strengthen decision-making, manage stress in real time, prevent burnout, and sustain effective leadership over the long term. She views relationships and individuals as part of larger interconnected systems, believing that healthier people create healthier families, workplaces, and communities. Beyond her clinical and consulting work, Dr. Ceballo-Hernandez serves as an adjunct university professor and is a frequent public speaker on topics related to psychology, relationships, mental health, and faith. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, the Family Court Counseling Professionals (FCCP), serves as an elder at her local church, and is considering further involvement with the APA Psychology Board. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she enjoys spending time at the beach, playing volleyball, learning more on gardening, and attending live sporting events, activities that help her stay grounded amid a demanding career built on service and community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Helen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to community, perseverance, and the encouragement of the people around me. Throughout my career, family members, colleagues, mentors, and fellow women professionals saw potential in me before I always saw it in myself, and their support pushed me to keep going. I've never viewed success as something achieved alone; it has always been strengthened by the people I've surrounded myself with.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received has come not from one single person, but from my parents, professional colleagues, and a strong network of women who have shaped me both personally and professionally. Their collective guidance taught me the value of leaning on others and building relationships that support long-term growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It is essential to have a good community. The higher you rise in your profession and the higher you rise in your education, the lonelier it can become. You need to surround yourself with people who will push you when you don't want to keep working on that dissertation, who will pray for you, and who will tell you to get up and go do the work. You need people who love you too much to let you quit.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I recognize is the isolation that can affect both mental health professionals and the high-achieving individuals we serve. Executives, founders, and other leaders often carry tremendous pressure that isn't visible to those around them, and addressing that hidden strain is one of the most important opportunities in my field today.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I place a strong emphasis on service, community, faith, connection, compassion, personal growth, and healthy relationships. I believe that helping one person can create an impact far beyond the therapy room, since strengthening an individual can improve a marriage, a family, a workplace, and ultimately a community. Service is especially important to me, and as my career continues to grow, I want that growth to create more opportunities to help others rather than simply serve as a personal achievement.
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