Nicole Benedict (she/her)

I have worked for 5 years with over 50 clients experiencing some type of personality disorder and with co-occurring diagnoses. I strive to support those I work with to help normalize the experience of the symptoms of personality disorder, work through stuck points, and provide alternate methods of therapy to help tackle their challenges from different ways. It is very important to me to change the stigma that has historically been put on personality disorders and offer validation and support.

I began my experience in supporting individuals with PTSD in an intensive in-patient trauma rehab for Veterans. From there I moved to a community clinic where I worked with hundreds of people who have experienced a multitude of traumas. This includes survivors of childhood sexual trauma, assault, community violence, generational trauma, systemic racism, and many other forms of trauma. I have been trained to utilize both Prolonged Exposure and EMDR therapy to help individuals move past trauma.

I take a focus with almost all of my clients, to help them to develop a more positive self-image and self-acceptance. Low self-esteem often can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms. By addressing the way we view ourselves we can change the way we view the world. Self-compassion and positive talk has been a integral and transformative part of the work I have done over the past 5 years.

Therapy is a collaborative process and I see my role as a therapist to be a partner in to progress toward self-change. You are the expert in your own life. I am hear to take your lead and offer the tools I have for you to work toward the goals that are important to you. I strive to offer unconditional positive regard and to make sessions a safe place for those I work with. I am open to feedback to make therapy work for you.

I am trained in EMDR and utilize this technique, at least in part, with almost every client I work with. EMDR can offer a non-verbal way to process through through trauma, anxiety, depression, physical pain, and many other mental health concerns. EMDR is unique in that you are able to make quick and sustainable change without having to verbally discuss uncomfortable thoughts or memories.

I am a licensed creative art therapist so I always offer creative interventions to any client willing to explore art as a method for healing. Art therapy can be used as a non-verbal way to get out thoughts and feelings, in general anxiety reduction just from the process, and in targeting specific challenges to work through. Art therapy is not about creating great master pieces or even being a great artist. Rather, it is the healing benefits you can receive through the process of creating art.