I’m a therapist dedicated to helping individuals and couples find healing and connection in their relationships and personal lives. At The Empowerment Place, I offer a warm, non-judgmental space for clients to explore their challenges and uncover strengths. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Board-Certified Counselor, and Certified School Counselor with a deep passion for empowering individuals to prioritize their mental health. My approach is compassionate yet solution-focused, and I work closely with each client to foster meaningful change, especially in areas like overcoming relationship struggles, managing life transitions, and enhancing overall well-being. I earned bachelor's degree in music education and religious studies from Valdosta State University, a master’s in special education from Grand Canyon University, and a second Master’s in Counselor Education from Albany State University. At The Empowerment Place, I provide individual, couples, family, and group therapy, utilizing an integrative approach that combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Person-Centered modalities. She specializes in treating anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, depression, self-esteem issues, and multicultural concerns, adopting a holistic perspective in her work. Additionally, I am certified in Gottman Level I and Prepare/Enrich, offering expert care for premarital, marital, and couples counseling. As a trauma-informed therapist, I am dedicated to guiding my client on their path to healing and self-discovery. She strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all clients, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community, marginalized groups, and individuals of diverse backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities. I believe in each person's ability to overcome challenges, rediscover their strengths, and achieve personal growth. Her approach fosters resilience and empowers clients to make meaningful, lasting changes in their lives. Whether facing anxiety, depression, trauma, or life transitions, I offer a compassionate and non-judgmental space where individuals, couples, and families can thrive. Empower your healing, embrace your journey!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first session, clients can expect a warm and open environment where we’ll focus on getting to know each other and setting a foundation for our work together. We’ll explore your reasons for seeking therapy, discuss your goals, and address any immediate concerns or questions. I’ll ask about your history, what’s currently impacting your well-being, and what you hope to achieve, so we can start shaping a personalized path forward. This session is a safe space to share openly, and my goal is for you to leave feeling heard, understood, and hopeful about the journey ahead.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strengths as a provider are my genuine empathy, solution-focused approach, and ability to create a supportive space for clients to explore their concerns. I’m highly attuned to each client’s unique story and strengths, allowing me to tailor sessions to what will be most impactful and meaningful for them. My goal is to help clients feel empowered, understood, and equipped to make positive, lasting changes in their lives and relationships.
About Nicole Allen
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2302 Dawson Road, Albany, GA, USA, STE 102Appointments
Virtual & in-personMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), I focus on helping clients recognize and change thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. CBT emphasizes the link between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, allowing clients to understand how negative thinking can impact their lives and relationships. In my practice, I integrate CBT techniques to help clients identify specific thoughts that may be unhelpful or distorted—like catastrophizing or all-or-nothing thinking—and work on reframing them to foster healthier, more adaptive responses. In couples counseling, for example, I use CBT to help partners examine how their thoughts about each other might fuel conflicts or misunderstandings. By breaking down these automatic thoughts, they can respond to one another more positively and constructively. Additionally, I encourage clients to practice skills like journaling and role-playing in between sessions to reinforce new ways of thinking and behaving. My goal is to make these insights practical and actionable so that clients can see real changes in their daily interactions and overall mindset.
Couples Counseling
In couples counseling, I use the Gottman Method to help partners strengthen their relationships by building trust, improving communication, and resolving conflicts constructively. It provides tools to address key relationship dynamics like managing conflict, enhancing friendship, and creating shared meaning.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an invaluable tool in my practice, particularly for clients who experience intense emotions, struggle with impulsivity, or have difficulty in managing interpersonal conflicts. In practice, I incorporate the core DBT components of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a structured approach I use for clients dealing with trauma-related symptoms, especially those experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Developed initially for survivors of sexual assault, CPT has been shown effective for a range of trauma, including combat, abuse, and life-threatening events. The method focuses on helping clients identify and address “stuck points”—unhelpful thoughts and beliefs that keep them trapped in painful emotions and patterns of avoidance. In my practice, I guide clients through the core steps of CPT, starting with understanding the connection between thoughts, emotions, and trauma symptoms. Together, we examine how specific thoughts, like “I can’t trust anyone” or “I’m to blame for what happened,” contribute to distress and impact their life. Using structured worksheets and reflective exercises, I encourage clients to challenge these beliefs, consider alternative perspectives, and reduce self-blame, which is often a significant obstacle to healing.