My name is Nicole Byrum, and I am an independently licensed marriage and family therapist. I have 16 years of experience in the clinical setting and strongly believe in the importance of the therapeutic relationship.
My approach
I believe in a collaborative approach to therapy and am always on the lookout for the strengths my clients possess. I also love to teach new skills and desire to equip my clients with practical tools. I often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy but will format the treatment plan to your individual needs.
My focus
Much of my work has been with those facing addictions, mood disorders, and anxiety. I have worked with a variety of clientele for over 16 years, seeing people of all ages and presenting issues. I love to teach people assertive communication skills, boundaries, and appropriate/productive ways of managing emotions.
My communication style
I am a very collaborative person and am overall easygoing. One of my strengths as a therapist is the ability to connect with a variety of people! I believe I am warm and empathetic, but I am also able to challenge my clients' thinking/perspectives when needed.
My journey to mental healthcare
As a teen, I was part of 3 different mission trips with my church youth group. From these experiences, I knew I wanted to go into a career that was focused on helping people heal from the hardships of this life. In college, I chose to major in psychology and sociology because human behavior was of great interest to me! I decided then to pursue a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy because I wanted to help people build strong homes and families. While the majority of my time in this field has been spent working with individuals, I have found this to be extremely rewarding. Whether it's helping people gain insight into their choices or teaching new skills, I enjoy meeting people where they are and working with them to accomplish their goals.
My goals for you
I believe it is the client's job to determine the goals for therapy, but I will come alongside them to help determine the objectives connected to that goal. I like to check in frequently with my clients regarding the progress of their determined goals.
My first session with you
During the first session, I focus on rapport building as well as completing the initial assessment and treatment plan. While the session is largely focused on information gathering, I like to end by giving a homework assignment geared toward one of their identified goals.