About Me & My Approach
Hi! I’m Nichelle. I have been working as a therapist since I graduated with my Masters in Social Work in 2012, and have had my LICSW since 2015. I have worked in outpatient, day treatment, and hospital settings. I believe my experiences in these variety of settings has given me a unique understanding of the challenges people face, as well as what can be most beneficial to people in helping to heal, recover, and build the lives they want.
I provide individual therapy to adults in person at my office in Minnetonka, MN or via telehealth to people located anywhere in the state of Minnesota. I take an integrative approach to my practice by utilizing a variety of different therapeutic techniques as I find different approaches work best for different people. Some of the main therapeutic frameworks I use are: DBT, CBT, EMDR, somatic, strengths-based, and solution-focused.
My approach to therapy is warm, nonjudgmental, and validating, while also gently challenging when needed. I believe that the healthiest way to approach growth is through a balance of accepting and showing compassion to our current and past selves, while also taking steps towards the future we want by honestly recognizing the areas we could work to improve and taking steps to do so. I enjoy supporting people in finding this balance in order to start feeling fulfilled and at peace with themselves, their lives, and their relationships.
As a social worker, I view things from a systems-perspective and I recognize that the systems in our lives (family, community, culture, society, government, etc.) have profound impacts on us. I recognize the systemic barriers that exist; especially for people of color, the LGBTQ community, women, people with disabilities, and people who have experienced economic inequality. I acknowledge that, while therapy can be incredible, individual work does not fix these systemic issues. At the same time I also believe that therapy can be a helpful place to explore and process the impact of these systems, and to find empowerment in the areas we do have control over in our lives. I have undergone extensive trainings on anti-racism and LGBTQ issues in order to best support my clients who are a part of the BIPOC and LGBTQ communities. It is important to me to create a therapeutic environment where everyone feels seen, understood, and valued for who they are.