Nickolas Persons

Hello, my name is Nick Persons, and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California looking for new clients. My approach is, first and foremost, person-centered; I believe there is no one-size-fits-all technique, so I like to meet my clients where they are and start with where they feel comfortable to help them become better prepared to navigate the obstacles they encounter in their lives.

My approach

All approaches I utilize in therapy come from a person-centered philosophy; the therapeutic relationship is where the healing begins, so I pride myself on offering a safe, comfortable therapy environment for all clients. I have received formal training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing (MI), and I like to use tools from multiple approaches when working with people to help identify what specific strategies will work best for them.

My focus

I have historically worked with clients from a wide variety of different backgrounds and life experiences, including individuals struggling with co-occurring disorders and substance use, LGBTQ+ populations, individuals presenting with mild to severe mental illness and impairment, and people just looking for a new way to think about their problems and explore new solutions. I am comfortable treating depressive and anxious disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, co-occurring and substance use disorders, and stress-related disorders.

My communication style

I like my clients to feel as comfortable as possible when meeting with me, and I tend to use a curious, calm, and conversational style when providing therapy services. I am easy to get along with, tend to speak in a low, calm voice, and do my best to frequently ask for client feedback as to what's working and what isn't. I want all of my clients to help me create a personalized environment where they will grow and thrive best.

My journey to mental healthcare

Throughout my life, I've had my own struggles with depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide, which led me to study psychology in college to learn more about the causes and potential treatment options for individuals struggling with their mental health. In becoming a licensed counselor, I can now share the knowledge I've gained to help others develop perspective and a better understanding of their own mental health and wellness. I'm driven to do the work I do by a desire to help people and spread a message of wellness, compassion, and caring that starts at the self and extends to the world around us.

My goals for you

When setting treatment goals, I like to establish realistic, motivating, time-limited goals and encourage my clients to work with me to create goals that they feel they can accomplish. All large goals can be broken down into smaller steps, and in doing so, we can make even the loftiest goal attainable if we look at the path we'll take to get there and identify the tools we'll need to make it happen.

My first session with you

During an initial session with a new client, I like to gather some basic information about them, their presenting troubling symptoms and their history. What brings them in? What are they expecting from therapy, and what do they hope to learn, do, or change? By getting to know each client on this level, I can learn more about them and better understand their needs and wants, which in turn will make me better able to help them through their struggles.