Therapists in East Isles, Minneapolis, MN

My work is rooted in a life-long desire to understand more fully who we are and why we are who we are. I work to help clients reflect on patterns of thinking, feeling, behaving, reacting emotionally, struggling with internal conflicts, and using psychological defenses that seem to protect but are often limiting and out of conscious awareness. My training is rooted in Family Systems Theory, Relational Therapy, Marriage and Family Therapy, Experiential Therapy, Psychodynamic Theory, Attachment Theory, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and Neuroscience. I believe that each person I work with is unique and we have to have a relationship that fosters safety and trust.

Nicole is an empathetic, direct, and nonjudgmental therapist who utilizes compassion and humor in their work with youth. As a Japanese American and member of the LGBTQ+ community, Nicole is passionate about providing a social justice lens and safe space to discuss systemic oppression, implicit biases, the current political environment, and the impact of these environmental stressors on the therapeutic relationship and our collective mental health.

Now Accepting New Clients! My area of expertise is centered around working with individuals with a history of mental health disorders such as anxiety, ADHD, depression, bipolar disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, personality disorders, PTSD, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. In addition, I have ample experience working with clients dealing with self-harm behaviors, suicidal ideations, chronic stress, family conflict, and low self-esteem. Clients who see me aim to develop coping and adaptive skills to manage life difficulties, resolve conflicts, heal traumatic experiences, and develop a healthier sense of self.

Immediate openings for new clients. Life's challenges can feel overwhelming at times. But developing a deeper understanding of ourselves can enable us to heal and grow in ways that we never thought possible. I believe that we can learn a lot about ourselves when we have the opportunity to explore and attune to our own emotions within the context of a supportive and meaningful relationship with a therapist. My aim is to earn the trust of my client and help them open up and explore their deepest thoughts and feelings in a way that provokes self-knowledge, enables healing, and inspires growth.

Being a person can be hard! If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, grief and loss, relationship or substance use issues, or any of the difficult feelings that come with being human, I want to help! When you learn to trust your own intuition, identify your needs, and define your boundaries, you are better able to advocate for yourself and create the life you want. I focus on helping each individual to make deep connections, uncover your inner strength and wisdom, and cultivate a meaningful, fulfilling life. At times, you may just need a little extra support wherever you're at, and I'll meet you there!

Whether you are entering therapy with a clear vision of what you are looking for or are more uncertain of your goals, I will work with you to come up with strategies for growth and the development of optimal emotional health and functioning. I believe that healing occurs through the process of building a trusting therapeutic relationship. By creating a safe and confidential environment I will help you to better understand patterns (which are often outside of your awareness) that lead to emotional distress. Recognition of these patterns empowers you to make choices that can lead to life long change.

Life presents inevitable challenges. Problems are problems. People are not problems. I will work alongside you to be curious and draw out your innate knowing and expertise. You share in my belief in the power of metaphor and meaning-making as a healing medium. This may include creative processes with art materials or it can be through "talk therapy" as well. We will work as collaborators to achieve greater self-awareness that allows you to move forward with confidence, less fear, self judgement and criticism.

As a therapist I work hard to create a safe and trusting environment for you to gain insight into yourself and make the changes you seek. I use a psychodynamic approach, along with techniques from existential and feminist therapies and a deep knowledge of child development. I prioritize working at your pace, and value the unique relationship that develops between us. By working together to identify patterns and road blocks in your past, you can develop an increased ability to make different choices and live a more fulfilling life.

Hello! What is bringing you to therapy? For many, it's feeling lost, confused, hurt and disconnected from ourselves and the world around us. We can come to feel lost and disconnected because of trauma or stress (either in this lifetime or in your lineage) that hasn’t been digested in our body/mind. It can happen from living in an increasingly lonely and disconnected world. I would like to support you in finding connection and meaning in life so you can experience satisfying relationships with yourself, friends, family and the natural world around you. This is what being alive is about!