About:

• Since 1998, Nicole has experience working with children/teens with a history of abuse and disruptive behavior disorders.
• She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern New Mexico University in 1998.  She gained experience working with foster, adoptive families and children until she completed her master's in social work in 2005 from the University of Maine Orono. 
• Her clinical internship and first year of employment were spent at a program using Multisystemic Therapy (MST).
• She was trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in 2007 by the EMDR Institute, which is a specialized treatment for those suffering from symptoms due to past abuse and significant trauma.
• Also in 2007, she received training Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by Behavioral Tech.  DBT is an evidenced based treatment approach for those suffering from symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, Mood Disorder, Eating Disorders, Addictions and Personality Disorders.
• Most recently Nicole has been interested in Integrative Mental Health, completing her Brain Health Instructor Certification with Amen Clinics in 2023 and Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional training course in Nutritional and Integrative Medicine for mental health in 2020.  She has been training in Internal Family Systems.  IFS is a non-pathologizing approach to treatment that can help with trauma and mental health symptoms but also treat general life stressors like grief, relationships and career issues, and improve resilience and self-esteem. 

• Nicole works with children and families beginning at age 3.  Each client is given an individual treatment plan that uses evidence-based practices to address their concerns.  A multi-systems approach to treatment is often used, integrating biological and physical health concerns that effect brain health, social and family systems, psychological and individual mental/ behavior symptoms and spiritual wellness.  Play therapy and family therapy are often used to help younger clients.  Nicole also has extensive experience treating children, teens and adults on the Autism Spectrum and those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  She is a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist and has training in both ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder with Amen Clinic.  Nicole is comfortable treating the following disorders: Adjustment Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Mood Disorders, including Bipolar Disorder, Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Eating Disorder and Addictions, and Personality Disorders.  She provides individual, family and group therapy. 

• At Open Minds Healing Center we strive to make therapy fun, practical and solution based in a safe and caring space.  While trauma work can be very challenging it is her belief that releasing past burdens can help clients focus on a better tomorrow.  Nicole is a very flexible therapist that also strives to reduce barriers to treatment that traditional therapists and mental health clinics often unintentionally create.  She encourages clients to advocate for their needs and is open to feedback about how any step of the process maybe blocking their healing.  Nicole is available for a free 15-minute consultation if you have any specific questions about your treatment needs.   

• Nicole is a mom to three boys, including an adult son on the Autism Spectrum.  She enjoys spending time in nature and loves hiking, camping, gardening, photography, volunteer work and travel.  She is interested in health, fitness and complementary medicine.  She became passionate about health due to her own struggles with autoimmune disorder and childhood illness.