Hello...
When I'm looking for a therapist, I want to get a sense of who they are - not just their training, but how they think, what brought them to this work, and why it matters to them.
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That's what I'm offering you here: a clearer picture of who I am, what I bring to sessions, and why this work is important to me.
Hi, I'm Nichole
I'm a seeker at heart, drawn through curiosity to have a deeper understanding of the world, the people around me, and myself. I'm constantly learning - in my career and hobbies - and I love the mental challenge of putting the pieces of a situation together, like a puzzle.​
Through working with couples over the years, I've found that I have an intuitive sense of being able to "hear what's beneath the surface" of a relationship. It's important to me to be able to reflect back to you what's happening in a session, and to do so in such a way that both partners feel deeply seen and understood. I really do believe people make sense in their various reactions, and I want to help each of you see and feel this.
How I Got Here
I've been a therapist for 24 years, and about a decade ago I decided to pursue specialized certification in couples work. That decision came from recognizing something important: working with couples - with a relationship system - is fundamentally different from working with individuals. It requires different training, different skills, and a different way of thinking.
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Early in my work with couples, I noticed that when people felt truly heard - not just listened to, but really understood - something shifted. The defensiveness softened. The reactivity decreased. Space opened up for something new to happen. I also recognized I needed more structure and training to create that consistently.
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That led me to Imago Relationship Therapy, which I've been certified in for 10 years. Imago gave me a structured way to create the safety and attunement I was already reaching for in sessions. It provided the container for couples to actually hear each other - often for the first time in years. And, importantly, it felt like the theory that most aligned with how I see the world and relationships. It has made a significant difference in my own relationship.
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My approach isn't rigid. I draw from neuroscience to help couples understand what's happening in their nervous systems during conflict. I incorporate mindfulness and somatic awareness. And I bring in other frameworks as they fit for each unique couple. What matters most is that the work serves you.
What I Bring to Sessions
I practice Imago with my partner Scott - sometimes very messily - I really do know how hard conflict in relationships can be, and how hard it is to "get out of the reaction." I share those moments in sessions (not in a weird way!). When I tell couples about times that Scott and I completely blow it, or when I got stuck in my own position on something, it normalizes the messiness. This work isn't about perfection. It's about showing up, trying something different, and committing to create a different way together.
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Here's what else I bring: I genuinely believe your reactions make sense. Even the ones that feel irrational or disproportionate - they're trying to tell you something. When we can see what's underneath those reactions, and understand how they're trying to help you grow or heal, that's where real shift can happen.
I know how hard it is to step out of reactivity in the moment. That's where I come in. I work hard to help both of you see how you each make sense - to hold that perspective when you're too activated to access it yourselves. I'm also willing to gently but clearly point out when something needs to shift. I'm not just sitting back observing. I'm actively helping you interrupt unhelpful patterns and try something new.
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This isn't just a set of techniques for me. I truly believe that conflict is growth trying to happen. Maybe that's why I can sense what's beneath the surface - because I'm looking for the opportunity in the struggle, not just trying to make it stop.
My Professional Background
Master of Arts in Professional Counseling—with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Counseling
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Certified Imago Relationship Therapist— with ongoing professional development
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Imago Workshop Presenter (Getting the Love You Want)—pursuing certification
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Polyvagal, Somatic, Relational Neuroscience, and IFS Informed
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Sex Therapy Informed Professional
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Plant Medicine / Psychedelic Integration—Supportive & Informed Professional
Outside of work, I'm a...
Literary Lover
I love reading - all kinds of books. Fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, memoirs, self-help, you name it. There is so much to be learned in this world of ours, especially from different cultures and perspectives from our own. I'm especially enjoying reading and learning from indigenous and traditional healers, shamans, and elders.
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Outdoor Enthusiast
Just being outside feels so settling, healing, and humbling to me. I live in the mountains of Colorado and enjoy hiking, road and mountain biking, kayaking, camping, skiing, and more.
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Meditation and Mindfulness Student
I practice and enjoy meditation. Along those lines, I also love exploring and incorporating different philosophies around learning and living a meaningful life.
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Relationship Therapy Practicer
I'm in a relationship with a wonderful man. We transitioned from long-distance to living together, and I understand there are important conversations to be had in such a transition. We are also very different people, and while it is challenging at times to navigate these differences, we enjoy learning about ourselves, one another, and our relationship. [And yes, as I've said, I (imperfectly) practice what I teach in therapy sessions!]
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Dog Mom
We have a mini Aussie named Axel... he is an absolute JOY. He's smart and we love teaching him new tricks. He's our third wheel on outdoor adventures and definitely keeps up with boundless energy.
My Why
I believe that learning to navigate conflict in our intimate relationships changes us in ways that ripple outward. When we can stay open and curious with our partner - even about the hard stuff - we carry that capacity into our friendships, our workplaces, our communities.
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The world right now feels fractured. People are struggling to hear each other across differences - in families, communities, and yes, in intimate relationships. It makes sense that conversations feel harder than ever.
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But here's what I believe: the capacity to stay in difficult conversations - to remain curious even when we disagree - is essential. Not because conflict should be easy, but because growth happens at the edge of our comfort. And that skill gets practiced first in our most intimate relationships.
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There's research suggesting that when enough couples learn to communicate this way, it can reach a tipping point - a critical mass that starts to shift how we relate more broadly. I believe deeply in the power of dialogue. (Philosopher David Bohm wrote beautifully about this.) And I see it in my work: couples who learn to truly listen to each other don't just fix their relationship - they become different people in the world.
