I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) with 24 years of experience, holding certifications as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS), Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), Positive Behavior Support Facilitator (PBSF), Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). I provide person-centered counseling to a diverse clientele, focusing on each individual’s unique experiences and perspectives to guide them through challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, or substance use. By fostering self-reflection, teaching relaxation techniques, and promoting positive self-talk, I help clients explore how family dynamics and childhood experiences may influence their current functioning, offering insights that align with their worldview to empower meaningful growth in a supportive, empathetic environment.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first counseling session, clients—whether couples or individuals—can expect a welcoming, empathetic, and collaborative environment designed to establish trust and lay the groundwork for our therapeutic work. Drawing on my 24 years of experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic Therapy, and Couples Therapy, I begin by briefly explaining my approach, tailored to the client’s needs, such as addressing relational conflicts or managing anxiety. For couples, I invite each partner to share their concerns, goals, and reasons for seeking therapy, perhaps discussing issues like family tensions, using open-ended questions to ensure both feel heard. For individuals, I explore their challenges—such as depression, stress, or life transitions—focusing on their experiences and aspirations. I’ll introduce practical strategies, like responsive, non-reactive phrases for couples (e.g., “I feel… can we discuss this?”) or CBT-based thought reframing for individuals, to provide an immediate tool for progress. We’ll set initial goals together, such as improving communication or reducing anxiety, and I’ll explain the counseling process, including session structure and expectations. The 50-60-minute session emphasizes active listening, validation, and cultural sensitivity to create a safe space. Clients will leave with one actionable step—like practicing a phrase or journaling a reflection—feeling understood and clear about our path forward, ready to build resilience or strengthen relationships in a non-judgmental, growth-oriented setting.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
With 24 years of experience, I believe my greatest strengths as a provider are my ability to build trust through empathy, my expertise in tailoring evidence-based approaches, and my commitment to fostering collaborative growth. My humanistic approach allows me to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel genuinely heard and valued, enabling them to openly explore sensitive issues like family dynamics. My extensive experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic Therapy, and Couples Therapy equips me to adapt interventions—like teaching responsive, non-reactive phrases (e.g., “I feel uneasy—can we discuss this?”)—to meet each client’s unique needs, ensuring practical and sustainable outcomes. Additionally, my skill in integrating techniques from frameworks like the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy helps couples strengthen communication and emotional bonds effectively. I take pride in my ability to balance structure with flexibility, empowering clients to take active roles in their progress while providing clear guidance, which is particularly valuable for engaged couples navigating pre-marital challenges. My dedication to ongoing learning and cultural sensitivity further enhances my ability to connect with diverse clients, fostering resilience and meaningful change in their relationships.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
With 24 years of experience, I am best positioned to serve both couples and individuals facing a variety of relational, emotional, and life-transition challenges. For couples, I excel at supporting those navigating conflicts, communication issues, or family dynamics, such as tensions involving parents or in-laws, using frameworks like the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy to foster responsive, non-reactive dialogue (e.g., “I feel… can we discuss this?”). For individuals, I am highly effective with adults and young adults (ages 18-35) managing anxiety, depression, trauma, or situational stressors, including workplace pressures, career changes, military transitions, or grief. My expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients reframe negative thoughts and develop practical coping strategies, while my Humanistic Therapy approach provides a safe, empathetic space for those exploring self-esteem, identity, or personal growth. I am particularly adept at working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, leveraging cultural sensitivity to address unique needs with tailored interventions. My ideal clients—whether couples seeking to strengthen their relationship or individuals pursuing mental health and resilience—are motivated, open to self-reflection, and eager to engage in collaborative, evidence-based therapy. They thrive in a non-judgmental environment where structured, flexible strategies empower them to achieve goals like improved communication, emotional stability, or personal fulfillment, fostering lasting change across diverse contexts.
About Nicolas Whited
Nicolas Whited offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
With 24 years of experience, I have extensively utilized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to effectively treat a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. In my practice, I apply CBT by collaboratively identifying and reframing clients’ negative thought patterns, fostering adaptive behaviors, and setting actionable goals tailored to their unique needs. For example, with couples preparing for marriage, I guide them in using CBT techniques, such as cognitive restructuring, to replace reactive, emotional responses with responsive, non-judgmental communication, ensuring they address sensitive issues like family dynamics constructively. This structured, evidence-based approach empowers clients to manage symptoms, enhance emotional resilience, and achieve lasting progress across diverse clinical contexts.
Humanistic
With 24 years of experience, I have effectively integrated Humanistic Therapy into my practice to support clients with diverse challenges, including anxiety, depression, and relational issues. In my approach, I employ Humanistic principles—such as empathy, unconditional positive regard, and client-centered focus—to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, values, and self-concept. For example, with couples preparing for marriage, I use Humanistic techniques to foster authentic communication and mutual understanding, encouraging them to express vulnerabilities calmly and respond to sensitive topics, like family dynamics, with empathy rather than reactivity. This client-driven, holistic method empowers individuals and couples to achieve self-awareness, strengthen relationships, and pursue personal growth across various clinical contexts.
Couples Counseling
With 24 years of experience, I have skillfully applied Couples Therapy to support engaged and married partners in navigating relational challenges, including communication breakdowns, family conflicts, and emotional disconnection. In my practice, I integrate evidence-based approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method principles, fostering a collaborative environment where couples develop responsive, non-reactive communication skills and deepen mutual understanding. For example, with couples preparing for marriage, I guide them in using structured exercises, such as practicing “I” statements and neutral phrases (e.g., “I feel uneasy—can we discuss this?”), to address sensitive issues like perceived criticism of each other’s families without emotional escalation. By emphasizing empathy, active listening, and shared goals, this approach helps couples build resilience, strengthen their bond, and effectively manage conflicts across diverse relational contexts.