Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Coping Skills, Trauma and PTSD and 10 more.

Nicole Saunders

(she/her)

LMHC, 21 years of experience
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New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

I believe therapy should be a place where you feel heard, supported, and empowered to create meaningful change. My approach is warm, collaborative, and goal-focused, blending compassion with practical strategies to help you move forward with confidence. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, navigating the effects of trauma, or facing a major life transition, I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where healing and growth can occur. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), I have extensive experience working with adults, veterans, and families facing a wide range of mental health challenges. My professional background includes serving as a crisis response trauma therapist, supporting individuals during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I also have specialized training in adoption competency, helping adoptive families, birth families, and adoptees navigate the unique emotional experiences that can accompany adoption. In addition, I have experience as a parent educator, partnering with caregivers to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and build healthy family dynamics. My work with veterans and their families has given me a deep appreciation for the unique challenges associated with military service, including trauma, transitions, relationship stress, and reintegration. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed care to create individualized treatment plans that are practical and effective. Clients often describe me as approachable, supportive, and structured. Together, we'll identify your goals, build coping skills, and develop strategies that help you regain a sense of control, strengthen resilience, and create lasting change. No matter where you are in your journey, my goal is to meet you with compassion, respect, and evidence-based care that helps you move toward the life you want to live.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Our first session is all about getting to know you. This is an opportunity for me to learn about your story, what brings you to therapy, the challenges you're facing, and what you hope to achieve. We'll explore your current concerns, relevant life experiences, strengths, and support systems so I can gain a complete picture of who you are—not just the problems you're experiencing. There is no pressure to share everything at once; we'll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. By the end of our first session, we'll have identified some initial goals and begin creating a personalized plan to help you move toward the life you want.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I believe therapy should provide more than a place to talk—it should help you create meaningful, lasting change. My clients often tell me they appreciate that I bring both compassion and structure to our work together. I strive to create an environment where you feel genuinely heard and supported while also helping you develop practical strategies you can use in your everyday life. My background includes crisis response and trauma therapy, working with veterans and their families, adoption competency, and parent education. These experiences have taught me how to meet people where they are, whether they're navigating overwhelming stress, recovering from trauma, adjusting to a major life transition, or simply trying to regain a sense of balance. One of my greatest strengths is helping clients organize what can feel like overwhelming emotions into manageable, achievable steps. Together, we identify clear goals, celebrate progress, and adjust our work as your needs evolve. I integrate evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and trauma-informed care to create a treatment plan that is individualized to you. I also understand that healing isn't one-size-fits-all. Every client brings unique experiences, strengths, and challenges, and I tailor my approach accordingly. My goal is to help you build resilience, strengthen coping skills, improve emotional well-being, and leave each session with greater clarity and confidence than when you arrived. Clients often describe me as warm, approachable, insightful, and goal-oriented. They appreciate that I offer both empathy and honest feedback, creating a space where they feel safe to be vulnerable while also feeling encouraged to grow. My role is to walk alongside you, providing guidance, support, and practical tools as you work toward the life you want to create. This combination of compassion, structure, trauma expertise, and a focus on measurable progress is what sets my approach apart.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal clients are teenagers and adults who are ready to create meaningful change but may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about where to begin. Many are teens, professionals, veterans, caregivers, or parents who have spent years taking care of others while putting their own needs aside. They may be experiencing anxiety, PTSD or trauma-related symptoms, burnout, chronic stress, grief, or significant life transitions that are affecting their relationships, work, or overall well-being. I also enjoy working with adoptive families, parents navigating challenging family dynamics, and individuals processing the unique emotional experiences associated with adoption, military service, or crisis events. Many of my clients have tried to "push through" on their own and are looking for more than just a listening ear—they want practical tools, a clear plan, and a therapist who will partner with them in reaching their goals. I am best positioned to serve clients who value a collaborative, structured approach to therapy and are open to learning new skills while exploring the experiences that have shaped them. Whether your goal is to reduce anxiety, heal from trauma, strengthen relationships, improve emotional regulation, or simply feel more like yourself again, I will meet you where you are and help you move forward at a pace that feels right for you. If you're looking for a therapist who is compassionate, direct, and focused on helping you make meaningful, lasting progress, we'd likely be a great fit.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

Anger Management

Child or Adolescent

I identify as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the primary approaches I use because it helps clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Often, when we're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck, our thoughts can become automatic and unhelpful, influencing how we feel and the choices we make. In our work together, we'll identify patterns that may be contributing to your distress and learn how to challenge thoughts that are inaccurate, overly critical, or no longer serving you. Rather than simply talking about problems, we'll focus on developing practical coping skills, healthier ways of thinking, and effective strategies you can use in your daily life. CBT is collaborative and goal-oriented. Together, we'll set meaningful goals, practice new skills both in and outside of sessions, and track your progress over time. My role is to help you gain greater awareness, build confidence in your ability to manage life's challenges, and create lasting changes that improve your emotional well-being. While CBT provides a strong foundation for treatment, I recognize that every client is unique. I tailor this approach to your individual needs and often integrate Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed care to ensure therapy is personalized, practical, and supportive.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.