Nicole Plaisted

Do you want to better understand yourself and the patterns shaping your thoughts, emotions, and relationships, while also developing tools to cope with life's challenges? As a mental health counselor, I help you achieve just that. I specialize in helping patients across the lifespan navigate issues with anxiety, depression, trauma, stress management, ADHD, relationship concerns, interpersonal challenges, identity issues, life transitions, and self-esteem. My goal is to meet you where you are, to help you feel more confident, connected, and empowered to create change in your life.

One of the most important parts of therapy is having a space where you feel heard, understood, and accepted without judgment, and I strive to build that kind of relationship by working alongside you. You don't need to know exactly what you want to say or have everything figured out before coming to therapy. Together, we can explore what you're experiencing, develop a deeper understanding of yourself and the patterns in your life, build tools for navigating challenges, and identify changes that feel meaningful to you. Above all, therapy should feel like a space that is truly yours, where your individual needs, experiences, strengths, and goals guide the work we do together.

I work from a person-centered, integrative, and trauma-informed foundation, drawing from a variety of therapeutic modalities and evidence-based techniques based on each patient's individual needs rather than believing that one approach works for everyone. Empathy, authenticity, and collaboration are central to my practice, as I'm passionate about creating a space where you feel genuinely heard and understood while gaining insight, building on your strengths, and developing tools that support growth.

In our sessions, expect a warm, nonjudgmental, and collaborative environment where you can feel comfortable being yourself. My style is compassionate, conversational, and curious, while also being active and engaged in the therapeutic process. Psychoeducation and practical tools such as coping skills, grounding, Mindfulness, and emotional regulation techniques are part of that work, helping you better understand and manage what you're experiencing. I also incorporate psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT), and other approaches based on your individual needs.

Together, we’ll explore deeper patterns, build insight, develop practical skills, and work toward the goals that matter most to you.

My path to becoming a therapist grew from a curiosity about people and a genuine desire to understand and help others. From a young age, I spent time babysitting and tutoring children, including those with autism, ADHD, and other learning and developmental differences, and through those experiences, I discovered how meaningful it was to build connections, understand each person's individual needs, and find different ways to support them. This ultimately inspired me to pursue psychology and become a therapist.

Today, I bring that same curiosity, empathy, patience, and openness into my work, enjoying the chance to get to know each patient as an individual, understand their perspective and experiences, and create a space where they feel comfortable being themselves.

I love traveling, learning about different cultures, and trying new foods – I'm a big foodie! Pottery is one of my favorite creative outlets, and I also enjoy playing piano, listening to music, and going to concerts. Being outdoors is another passion, especially hiking and scuba diving, and I'm always excited to try new things and explore new places.