Nicole Harrison
Taking the first step toward improving your mental health can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. I provide compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care in a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment where you can feel heard, respected, and actively involved in your treatment. I am a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) who works with adults ages 18 and older experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, trauma-related symptoms, substance use concerns, and other mental health challenges. Whether you are seeking help for the first time, struggling with symptoms that are affecting your daily life, or looking for support with psychiatric medications, my goal is to understand what you are experiencing and help you find a treatment approach that works for you.
I’m a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who believes the best mental health care begins with collaboration. Together, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan that combines evidence-based care, medication management, and supportive therapy to help you achieve your mental health goals.
My experience spans acute inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, telepsychiatry, addiction treatment, and community-based mental health care. I bring this experience into each visit while providing individualized, collaborative care focused on helping you feel better, improve daily functioning, and make meaningful, lasting progress.
First session
I believe treatment should be individualized and collaborative. My approach combines comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, thoughtful medication management, supportive psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, psychoeducation, and practical coping strategies. Together, we will develop a treatment plan that aligns with your goals and supports lasting recovery.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths is creating a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel comfortable being yourself and discussing what you are experiencing. I take the time to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and understand you as a whole person—not simply a diagnosis or a list of symptoms. My approach stands out because I combine psychiatric expertise with therapeutic support and practical strategies you can use in everyday life. I value collaboration and want you to understand your treatment options, including the benefits and risks of medication when appropriate. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we work together to develop a plan that reflects your needs, preferences, and goals. Most importantly, I want you to leave our sessions feeling heard, supported, informed, and hopeful about the progress you can make.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who is ready to better understand themselves and make meaningful changes in their life. I enjoy working with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, relationship challenges, life transitions, or difficulty balancing their own needs with the demands of everyday life. I work especially well with clients who feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in patterns they want to change. Together, we can explore what is contributing to these challenges, develop practical coping strategies, and work toward greater confidence, balance, and emotional well-being. You don't have to have everything figured out before starting therapy. I strive to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can be honest, feel heard, and work at your own pace.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as an evidence-based treatment approach to help patients recognize and modify unhelpful patterns of thinking, emotions, and behaviors that contribute to psychiatric symptoms. CBT is incorporated into medication management visits when clinically appropriate and tailored to each patient's cognitive abilities, diagnosis, and treatment goals. For patients with depression and anxiety disorders, I use CBT techniques to identify cognitive distortions, challenge negative automatic thoughts, and develop more balanced and realistic thinking patterns. Patients are taught practical coping skills such as behavioral activation, problem-solving, relaxation techniques, and stress management strategies to improve mood and functioning. With individuals receiving medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder, I incorporate CBT principles to identify triggers, recognize high-risk situations, strengthen coping strategies, prevent relapse, and improve emotional regulation. Sessions focus on increasing self-awareness, enhancing motivation for recovery, and building healthy behavioral patterns. When working with older adults, particularly those with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia, CBT interventions are modified to emphasize supportive problem-solving, behavioral activation, caregiver education, and anxiety reduction rather than complex cognitive restructuring. For patients with advanced neurocognitive disorders, CBT is generally not appropriate due to significant cognitive limitations; instead, behavioral interventions and caregiver-focused strategies are emphasized. Throughout treatment, I encourage patients to actively participate in goal setting, practice coping skills between visits, and monitor progress over time. CBT is integrated with psychopharmacologic management, psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, and supportive psychotherapy to provide comprehensive, patient-centered psychiatric care while promoting symptom reduction, improved functioning, and long-term recovery.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- North CarolinaLicense 5021305