Hi! I'm Nikki, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Greater Pittsburgh Area that's been recognized as Marquis Who's Who Honoree Listee. I've been working in human services for 25 years starting with an Alzheimer's unit in a nursing home and intellectual disabilities in group homes to wraparound services with children that have Autism. I gained my education in psychology and counseling and began working with at risk youth in juvenile delinquency settings and now working with transition aged youth. I really enjoy helping young adults find themselves and their path in life with their personal life and professional endeavors. I've also grown with the BFRB community (body focused repetitive behavior) being recovered myself and providing outreach and advocacy. I have been featured on the Dr. Oz television show, spoken at the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, and written in the book Project Dermatillomania. My main approach is a Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for general anxiety and depression and sometimes integrate expressive arts approaches for those that have difficulty expressing themselves. I specialize in OCD and am trained in Habit Reversal, ACT, COMB and ERP. I currently only offer online therapy and do not accept clients with severe mental illness, active suicidality or substance use. On a personal note, I'm married with a daughter and we enjoy outdoor activities. My hobbies include crocheting and scrapbooking. I really believe in "You are the author of your own life story" and would like to hear your story as you're the expert! I teach by my own SELF approach: S for searching your soul and what works for you, E for changing your environment from a toxic one to a healthy one, L for surrounding yourself with those that love and support you and learning to love yourself, and F for forgiving yourself for relapses.
In our first session, I’ll explain informed Consent on Privacy Policies, expectations of the type of therapy I do and boundaries. After that, well begin an intake to get your history so I can develop the best treatment plan suited to your needs.
I really relate and empathize with those that have been impacted by dysfunctional family environments, those that have struggled with OCD, and those that have experienced grief. I believe I've had the most success with transition aged youth/young adult due to their desire and motivation to find their path in life. I've been told by many clients or colleagues that what they enjoyed the most about my therapy is how personable, informative and educational I can be.
Generalized Anxiety, Mild to Moderate Depression, OCD, Transition Aged Youth, Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (skin picking/hair pulling), and parenting difficulties
I use ERP integrated with Inference Based CBT to help people with OCD understand where their obsessions come from and be less distressed by their fears.
I use this in conjunction with CBT to teach coping skills to anxiety and depression.
I have practiced a CBT approach since the beginning of my experience with mental health 25 years ago.
I take this approach for those that need short term treatment with EAP Programs and career decisions or those not ready for in depth work yet.