.png)
Hi, I am Nicole (I also go by Nicky) and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Los Angeles, as well as a licensed Telehealth therapist in Florida (TPMF1972), Connecticut (LMFT 3896), and Virginia (LMFT 0717002599). I have a pretty wide breadth of experience in the mental health field ranging from rape crisis advocacy, high end luxury rehab, community mental health, juvenile hall, utilization review, and owning my own private practice. I truly love this work and am grateful for the trust I have built with clients over the years. I am interested in hearing your story and seeing how your story continues to unfold through our work together.
I am certified in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard for treatment of OCDs and phobias. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for complex trauma and PTSD. I am trained in Relational Life Therapy (Terry Real, Relational Life Institute) Interpersonal Neurobiology (Dan Siegel, UCLA), and Mindfulness and ADHD Adults (UCLA Mindful) and draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, ACT, and DBT. My knowledge has been really helpful for those struggling with trauma, OCD, anxiety, relationships, ADHD, grief, and neurodivergent individuals and families.
As a therapist, I have a very open mind, sense of humor, and collaborative approach. I am in it with you, and while I am your cheerleader, I will be real with you and give you a nudge or call you out when needed! Although I use different modalities of therapy, I am not sterile, I show up very human throughout session, without any judgement toward your process. I have personal experience with trauma, OCD, emetophobia (fear of throwing up), ADHD, and being a child of an intellectually disabled (intellectual developmental disorder) parent.
I primarily work with clients from the film and television industry, the music industry, tech, and law. I also have a experience with those in the medical field, and other therapists. Additionally, I work with individuals who face public and/or media exposure, which can complicate overall wellbeing and requires a different level of clinical awareness and understanding.
Outside of my practice, I love hanging out with my dog, Cornelius and partner, Sam. I love yapping with friends, traveling, going to movies, concerts, watching shitty reality TV, attempting DIY and art projects which often includes me messing them up, and completing them successfully when I’m lucky.
I am certified in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, the gold standard for treating OCD. I specialize in contamination and health anxiety, and phobias such as claustrophobia and emetophobia. My expertise also includes treating fears of flying and other modes of transportation, social phobias, and general obsessions as well as harm, relationship, and sexual obsessions. I also have extensive experience managing panic disorder, helping clients navigate triggers that may lead to panic attacks and building the tools for stronger self regulation.
I also work with adults managing ADHD symptoms and behaviors. This can show up as difficulty staying on task or maintaining organization, time blindness, rejection sensitivity, losing stuff, feeling like you are always on the go, or feeling way too overstimulated which can ultimately lead to a meltdown. ADHD can have a deep impact on mood, and I find it so important to understand the different stimuli that impacts mood in order to make adjustments that support your wellbeing. I draw from my training in mindfulness based approaches for adult ADHD through UCLA Mindful, alongside CBT and ACT, to help clients build strategies that actually fit their brain rather than fighting against it.
Trauma is not one thing. Traditionally speaking, one might see trauma as assault, neglect, abuse, crime, and war. This view tends to leave out systemic oppression, racism, ableism, classism, poverty, unexpected loss, and identities that are not broadly accepted. Trauma is often complex and can start with something small that continues to compound until it becomes too much to handle. I am trained in EMDR, which has become one of the most widely used and evidence based treatments for trauma. I am also trained in Interpersonal Neurobiology, which focuses on integrating mind and body which is very helpful for not only trauma, but for everything else in between.
I help clients navigate negative experiences, past traumas, betrayals, anxieties and other barriers that interfere with creating fulfilling, loving relationships with others and ultimately with themselves. I challenge old stories that can become stubborn beliefs and try to help my clients see nuance and a bigger picture to help them navigate through the challenges that come with being in relationship to others. I work with clients who are navigating loss in all its forms. I meet my clients wherever they are in their process without rushing them toward anything.
Individual therapy is ideal for those seeking support in managing symptoms and behaviors that affect their daily life. I work collaboratively with you to establish personalized treatment goals, adjusting them as you progress. Every therapy experience is unique and specifically tailored to meet your individual needs. I use a blend of CBT, mindfulness, ACT, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Relational Life Therapy and ERP and EMDR when needed.
Relationship therapy is ideal for anyone in a relationship, whether romantic, platonic, familial or between friends, it is for those seeking to improve communication, resolve conflicts, rebuild trust and create a more fulfilling connection. I bring extensive experience in working with couples, sibling and family dynamics as well as friendship challenges. In romantic relationships I am particularly skilled in helping couples navigate breaches of trust caused by addiction, affairs, betrayals or unexpected life events. Relationship therapy offers both people the space to heal and work through what has strained their bond, with guidance every step of the way.
Consultation for families living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
If someone in your family has an intellectual developmental disorder (IDD), also know as intellectual disability, you already know that the challenges that come with that are not well represented in most therapy spaces. There can be grief, complicated love, caregiver burnout, guilt, and worry about the future, especially if your child has IDD. I have personal and clinical experience in this space. I am able to help families navigate the day to day realities of loving someone with IDD, including siblings, parents, and partners. If this is your family, I truly get the challenges of being in this position .One of the heaviest things a child of a disabled adult and a parent of a disabled child carries is the stress of the unknown. What happens when I'm not here anymore? Who will advocate for my child and or parent if I am not available? What does their life look like as they get older? These are not easy questions and there are no perfect answers, but you don't have to sit alone in them either. I can help you process the emotional weight of it, and start building a clearer picture of what support and planning can look like going forward. I am available for single consultations and ongoing support.
Professional consultation
I offer consultation to mental health professionals, medical providers, legal professionals and psychiatrists who are looking for clinical guidance on complex cases. I also work with film and television productions seeking a mental health consultant. I bring a broad clinical background and specific expertise in OCD, emetophobia, trauma and IDD family systems to every consultation. I have a unique perspective and feel comfortable with cases that are viewed as more complex and sensitive. If you are not sure whether what you are dealing with falls into my wheelhouse, reach out anyway. If I can't help you I will point you toward someone who can.
.png)
.png)
