Hello! My name is Nicole Barksdale and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in California. Choosing a therapist can feel like a difficult task, so I wanted to tell you a little about myself to help you decide if I would be a good fit for you. I have over 17 years of professional experience that include trauma, abuse, and the juvenile and adult justice systems. I’ve been providing psychotherapy for a wide range of issues and populations for the last 10 years. For the first few years of my clinical career I worked with children and families both in office and on school campuses. I would describe my therapeutic approach as goal-oriented and client-centered. Treating everyone with respect, sensitivity and compassion are at the forefront of my practice. My counseling style is a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic, and Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy among others. My goal in therapy is to create a safe space, free from judgment or rejection, for you to explore any challenges you may be facing and help you find new skills to deal with them. I know how hard it is to find a therapist that you feel comfortable with and I applaud you for taking the first step. I would be honored to work with you.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
After our first session together my goal is for you to walk away with a sense of relief from being able to share your concerns in a safe environment, feeling understood and heard, gain a new perspective on your situation, and have a better understanding of what to expect from therapy. I hope that you can walk away with a sense of hope and empowerment, as you begin to develop a plan for working through your challenges with my support.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
It's important for me to meet my clients where they are and use the appropriate therapy techniques that suit their unique needs. I often use CBT which is a widely used therapy technique that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to mental health issues. As well as DBT which is a type of CBT that focuses on helping clients regulate emotions and develop coping strategies to manage stress and interpersonal relationships. I also use Solution-focused therapy is another type of therapy that focuses on finding solutions to specific problems and helping clients develop strategies to achieve their goals. By using a combination of these therapy techniques, I can tailor my approach to meet the specific needs of each of my individual clients.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I would say that my biggest strength may be may ability to empathize and connect with people, as well as your knowledge and expertise in stress management, burnout, self-care, and boundary setting. I am able to provide practical tips and strategies to help people overcome these challenges and live a happier, healthier, and more balanced life.