Hey, I’m Nicole

I’m a CA Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, with over ten years of health care experience. I began my work as an in-home therapist for families with children on the Autism Spectrum. I was then promoted to a program coordinator, where I was responsible for supervising in-home therapists and creating and monitoring each family’s behavioral goals. Falling in love with the family support, I followed this passion to San Diego where I got my Master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy at SDSU. Here, I focused my training on community-based programs that served low-income and under-resourced families. 

My drive for mental health care far surpasses my career experiences. I come from a multicultural family, and became interested in my own journey towards self-discovery at a young age. My maternal family is American, my paternal family is Puerto Rican, and my brother was adopted from Guatemala. The blending of different cultures within my family gave me a lens for how important cultural identity, and self-identity in-general, can be for someone’s emotional well-being. I look back and see the challenges I faced when I did not have a solid sense of who I was and what I wanted for myself. I have been on my own journey to find a stronger sense of self and I feel inspired to facilitate spaces through my therapy where others can discover themselves as well. 

My Approach

My therapy goes above and beyond finding surface-level solutions, and instead, sets out to discover long-term benefits and healing. I believe therapy should be a place where you gain skills, learn solutions, and discover yourself in ways you hadn’t before. In my sessions, we explore topics that reconnect you with your values and create goals that best align you to the life you want to live. I strive to help my clients gain insight, self-compassion, and an overall deeper understanding of who they are. I find that this type of deeper, self-discovery work results in the most effective care and long-term benefits.

Therapy Values

At the heart of my work is a commitment to creating a therapeutic environment that is authentic, supportive, and tailored to your unique journey. Here’s what you can expect from our time together:

Non-Judgmental, Safe Space

Be unapologetically yourself! In our sessions, every thought, feeling, and belief is welcomed with openness and understanding. This is a space where you can share without fear of judgment, allowing you to explore your true self freely.

Comfortable Tone

Therapy doesn’t have to be dry or overly serious! While I deeply value the goals we set, I believe in the power of laughter, lightness, and joy as integral parts of healing. Together, we’ll create an environment that feels warm and inviting, where growth can happen naturally.

Self-Discovery

Understanding yourself on a deeper level is a cornerstone of meaningful change. My approach goes beyond surface-level solutions, focusing instead on uncovering the “why’s” behind your patterns and challenges. This process of self-discovery leads to lasting solutions and a stronger connection to your true self.

Personalized Care

There’s no one-size-fits-all in therapy. I take a thoughtful and collaborative approach to tailor our sessions to your specific needs and goals. Together, we’ll work at a pace that feels right for you, ensuring your growth aligns with your life and values.

Holistic Care

Healing involves addressing the whole person, not just individual symptoms. I strive to understand and address the root causes of challenges, moving beyond quick fixes to foster true, lasting well-being.

Goal-Oriented Growth

We’ll work together to define clear, actionable goals that reflect the changes you want to see in your life. I’ll support you in staying accountable to these goals, helping you navigate and overcome barriers along the way.

More About Me

I studied at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, earning my Bachelor of Science degree, and went on to complete my Master’s in Marriage & Family Therapy at San Diego State University, where I focused on supporting under-resourced families through community-based programs. With over 11 years of clinical experience, I’ve worked in a variety of settings, including as an in-home ABA supervisor for families with children on the Autism Spectrum and as a family therapist at Rady Children’s Hospital. Along the way, I became a Certified Trauma Professional, equipping me to help clients navigate life’s most challenging moments with care and expertise.

Outside of my work, I find joy in nature, thrifting, singing, animals, books, art, and cooking—passions that keep me grounded and inspired in both life and therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Services take place online and are provided to California residents.

  • I am not in-network with any insurance company but I offer my clients a few options to ensure therapy costs are manageable and insurance benefits are being utilized. 

    1. I have a billing concierge service that I work with. This service takes care of superbills on behalf of my clients. Their service also includes extra support with any/all insurance-related needs.

    2. I provide my clients with superbills to submit themselves and offer any additional guidance if necessary.

  • Please inquire about fees through email or over the phone. Fees can be paid using debit cards, credit cards, and HSA cards. Sliding scale is available if necessary. 

  • You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your mental health care will cost.

    Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.

    You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.

    You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.

    If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

    For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059.