School Alumni Associations

IU School of Social Work Alumni Association

Alumni Profiles

Helen Lynn Denes McClain

“Healing from Grief and Loss is the Thread That Binds” 

Long before I had knowledge or understanding of the social work profession, I began forming a personal passion and life mission for social justice and advocacy for the oppressed. My family history has had a tremendous impact on my life that gave birth to my desire of helping vulnerable populations.  I was shaped by my family heritage growing up as a first generation American born of parents who escaped Communist Czechoslovakia and then became United States citizens in the 1950’s. 

As my parents adapted and created a new way of living in America, they taught my siblings and I the value of perseverance, determination and courage in transforming one’s life.  We also experienced, first-hand, the generational impact of grief and loss especially felt through being separated and living apart from grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  Concern for their well-being and others left behind still living in oppression led to emotions difficult to manage.  The childhood in which I lived was one of having full knowledge of the blessing to live in a country free of communism; however, the paradox was that our lives were never really free because the impact and effects of living in communism had traveled with my parents to America, as, it still existed in their homeland and in the world. 

In developing as a person, my values, attitudes and beliefs have seemed to center in some aspect of advocacy.  Over the years, I have channeled my paid and volunteer work in areas with a focus of helping individuals and groups cope, adapt and make changes associated with the circumstances of their lives.  Relational connection with extended family, friends, my husband of 30 years and our adult children remains a personal priority.

I began my career as a helping professional, graduating from IUPUI, in 1978 as a Dental Hygienist working with low income families in community dental health. Later, on the forefront of the AIDS epidemic, I was involved in promoting universal precautions in the dental community and educated the community regarding the facts of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention through the Red Cross.  I assisted individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones in securing services and navigating through the fear, stigma and grief of dealing with the illness as they faced the loss of employment, income, housing, their health and at times even their support system. 

My work with individuals living and dying with AIDS and their loved ones then led to my work as a hospice bereavement coordinator.  Along with the interdisciplinary team, I assessed the patient and their loved one’s capacity and potential to cope with terminal illness and death.  I primarily functioned to educate the community and survivors about grief and loss.  I supported the individualized and collective processing of bereavement.   When this hospice was forced to close due to funding constraints, I recognized that I had taken my Bachelor of General Studies Degree, which I earned from IUPUI in 1992, and work experience to its upper limit.  I acknowledged my own need and desire to continue my education through obtaining the Master of Social Work Degree at IUPUI. 

I worked at a funeral home while I was a part-time student in the MSW program.  I was able to continue my bereavement work and I developed a program to assist families in creating meaningful rituals to honor and remember their loved ones and follow and support them in the grieving process.  

While a student in the MSW program, I took advantage of all the educational opportunities available and strengthened my knowledge base and skills in learning from my fellow classmates, professors, course work and practicums.  I gained additional experience working with other vulnerable populations.  My practicums involved working with chemical dependency and domestic violence, as well as the geriatric population. 

Since my MSW graduation in 2004, I have been working as a drug and alcohol counselor in a domestic violence shelter.  The clients have numerous co-occurring needs, such as housing, finances, employment, education, mental health, physical health, childcare and legal concerns among others.  Healing from grief and loss continues to be a thread binding and intertwining this population group with all the groups and individuals I have worked with.  Instilling hope and the belief that change and reconciliation is not only possible, but within one’s reach is a practice philosophy to which I adhere. 

I am a member of the IUSSW Alumni Board.  I continue to advance my learning through participating in continuing education.  I completed a 2 year Gestalt training program.  I am a member of NASW and the Indiana Society of Psychoanalytic Thought through which I have participated in numerous trainings.  I completed a nine month Trauma Study Group.  I also continue to learn and incorporate psychodynamic theories in my practice.  I recently met the requirements and completed the testing process for the LCSW.  Self-care continues to be vital and I regularly participate in supervision and my own insight oriented work.  My passion for our profession and the populations we serve is an ongoing journey.   

See the IUPUI Office of Alumni Relations Calendar of Events for upcoming School of Social Work alumni programs.

School of Social Work web site 

IUPUI Office of Alumni Relations contact:
Karen Deery, (317) 274-8959 or kdeery@iupui.edu