New to Grow
Nicholas started his career in human services at Northeast Treatment Centers in Philadelphia, PA where, over the course of 7 years, he worked as Youth Advocate for adjudicated adolescents, lead clinician for a community-based treatment team and outpatient therapist. After becoming a licensed psychotherapist in 2014, Nicholas worked as an outpatient therapist for multiple companies in the Philadelphia area where he helped clients manage or overcome symptoms related to anxiety, stress, trauma, depression and more. Nicholas’ therapeutic approach is strongly rooted in humanistic psychology. As described in an article from the Association for Humanistic Psychology, this approach offers a "crucial opportunity to lead our troubled culture back to its own healthy path. More than any other therapy, Humanistic-Existential therapy models democracy. It imposes ideologies of others upon the client less than other therapeutic practices. Freedom to choose is maximized. We validate our client's human potential." Nicholas’ approach is also influenced by Buddhist and evolutionary psychology, which give insight into why our minds can work against us and what to do about it.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During our first session, I will complete an intake-questionaire to get a sense of your background and the issues bringing you in. You will also be encouraged to ask any questions about my background and the direction we might take in our work together.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
Many clients have commented that I am non-judgemental. I am always happy to get this feedback because a therapuetic space is not safe if the client feels judged. Being non-judgemental is more an aspect of my nature than a skill I have developed. This informs my interest in and understanding of Mindfulness and how to harness it to make concrete changes in the lives of my clients.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Most of my career has ben spent helping folks manage anxiety symptoms related to OCD, trauma, life-transitions, depression and relational difficulties. If anxiety is holding you back in life, we might be a good fit. Additionally, if you are looking to improve your thought-management, general reactivity and stress, mindfulness approaches are very effective. If you feel that parts of you have been buried and unheard and more internal integration is needed, i can also help with that.
Humanistic
Almost all of my therapuetic relationships involve a humanistic, person - centered approach. Even if the client wants to pursue another modality of treatment, this approach still tends to be woven throughout the work. It imposes ideologies of others upon the client less than other therapeutic practices. Freedom to choose is maximized and human potential is validated.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness often plays a very important role in treatment. After all, so much of who we are and how we relate to distress is determined by where we place our attention. The two pillars of mindfulness: non-judgemental awareness and acceptance are very powerful allies in the journey of self-improvement.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a powerful approach that allows clients to access buried parts of their psyches and heal long-standing wounds. It encourages the realization that much of our difficulties are actually brought about by parts of us that are protective and well-intentioned. Through this work, I have seen clients make shifts in their internal systems, allowing for a new approach to life.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is an effective approach for addressing a variety of fears and symptoms related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Clients expose themselves to fears in gradual way that is challenging but not overwhelming, creating less reactivity to feared stimuli.