Melanie Nichols

Hi there, I'm Melanie Nichols, My life philosophy is to Be Kind, Listen, and Try to Help. I've been licensed since 2015 as a Marriage and Family Therapist #87226. I have an MA in Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy and a BS in Occupational Therapy. I have certifications in EMDR, EFT, and CBT. I have specialized in trauma, post-traumatic stress, and readjustment for military, first responders, and civilian populations. My Christian beliefs are profound in my daily life, and I'm a volunteer Law Enforcement Community Chaplain helping those experiencing the worst day of their life often. I'm a member of my church's worship team. I have a servant's heart for people with genuine care and concern for people. You can care, be kind, and love people without agreeing with their choices. My roles in my own life are Mother, sister, Aunt, friend, Chaplain, Worship Team member, Therapist, and business owner.

My approach

I work with issues of Depression, Anxiety, Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, Traumatic Brain Injury, Childhood Attachment, and Trauma that affects adulthood. I have specialized in Physical Injuries, Chronic Medical challenges, and Caregiver support. I have over 30 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist. My professional training as a Marriage and Family Therapist has given me tools to help those struggling with what the world throws at us, including Big Traumas and Little Traumas. EMDR involves a variety of desensitization methods (eye movement, bilateral tapping) for trauma processing. Trauma stops the processing like gears stuck in a machine. EMDR helps get the gears moving again and processing. Supportive therapy Involves active listening, validating feelings, reflecting on content, providing feedback/guidance, and assigning homework. Cognitive-behavior therapy involves building self-awareness of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how they interact with each other. Emotionally Focused therapy consists of identifying and breaking the cycle of dysfunctional communication between couples. Solution Focused Therapy: involves identifying goals, researching solutions, and implementing them (easier said than done!) Some of the recurring themes I have noticed in my practice have been childhood trauma and attachment issues and how they can either strengthen or weaken resiliency in individuals in adulthood.

My focus

My Faith as a Christian gives me a viewpoint beyond what the world throws at us. I meet my clients where they are and who they are and help them seek out who they want to be. The therapeutic relationship is a powerful working relationship that can have a powerful outcome. My role in the treatment process is to provide a safe space for a therapeutic relationship to develop and grow. I work on fostering an open and honest dialogue without shame or condemnation. The treatment methods can then work in the client's favor toward their desired goals.

My communication style

The Key to a good therapeutic alliance, I think, is the responsibility of the therapist and the client together. I offer an open, non-judgmental, non-shaming honest approach to learning my client's history, needs, and goals, and the client hopefully learns to trust and step into the therapy space offered.

My journey to mental healthcare

I love to help my clients navigate life's messes, big and small, current and historical. Often our history plays out in our current life, it doesn't have to, and that's been profound learning for me. I love seeing growth in my clients' lives, big or small.

My goals for you

Approaches I use for goal setting are client-centered, solution-focused approaches with interventions that are supportive, effective, and can be life-changing.

My first session with you

I conduct a comprehensive assessment of strengths and areas the client wants to work on. I develop a treatment plan with my clients based on their goals. I tend to use an eclectic approach depending on the goals and issues of each individual client.