Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Nichols.
Hi Deborah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey to my therapy practice and work was an evolution over the course of about 20 years. As a 24 year old, coming out of graduate school I quickly realized that I wasn’t ready to be in the work of coming alongside people as they processed and moved through their lives- their traumas, struggles, and joys. What I didn’t know then, that I clearly know now, is that I hadn’t had the opportunity to have the lived experiences that today make up so much of how I show up in the therapy room, as a human, with my clients. After years of living, working in higher education, having and raising children, navigating marriage, and coming back into the work, I am more present and inspired than I imagine I could’ve been had I not taken the time.
Today, I have been in private practice as a licensed professional counselor since January of 2018, I specialize in perinatal mental health and working with mothers as they navigate anxiety in both the new motherhood stage as well as the “empty nest” stage. I feel like my lived experience informs so much of my work and when clients come to me, they see someone who is still growing, so human, and humbled creating safety, intuitive knowing, and the type of connection that empowers women to see themselves differently in order to reach their personal goals.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While it’s easy to say that the road for others may have been harder, the challenges of my road have really impacted how I see the world and the work. I have had the challenges of parenting two children with learning disabilities, forcing me to navigate the complicated and messy world of special education. My younger son had many medical challenges, another opportunity to learn a system and navigate complex challenges that was not part of “the plan”. Navigating being in the sandwich generation with young children and aging parents. Receiving a rare medical diagnosis of my own that sent me into the depths of really having to process my own fears and mortality, all while keeping the “boat afloat” and showing up for my family and those I work with. The road has certainly not been smooth, but it’s been mine.
As you know, we’re big fans of Nichols Counseling LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a licensed professional counselor in Oregon and California. I help highly capable, anxious moms who are doing everything and always feeling guilty about not doing enough finally feel free from the constant nagging of guilt because they can trust themselves, set boundaries without spiraling, and show up as whole women—not just exhausted achievers. I offer virtual therapy and pride myself on being the type of therapist that is warm and supportive, but not just one that smiles and nods- I will challenge my clients towards growth and insight. I am proud of the work that I am doing to support and empower mothers to mother differently and make their own rules when it comes to their parenting, and ditch the mom guilt and perfectionist culture that is perpetuated in our society. I recently published my first book The No-Rules Rulebook for Moms available on amazon: https://a.co/d/04bhnFfw
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I have found that building a network of other professionals that share my style and values has been so supportive for me. Engaging in communities that support what I stand for (for me that is not necessarily conforming to the insurance companies seeking to control our clinical work and professional judgement) and exploring what out of the box ways to deepen the work with our clients at the helm looks like. I love to hear about the transformational work being done and finding ways to constantly be inspired, whether that be through my own personal connections outside of the therapy world or with other professionals that I respect in the therapy world. Bringing that together to recognize that mentorship and networking can come in so many ways.
Pricing:
- $225 for 50 minute session
- $19.99 Book on Amazon
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deborahnicholscounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelmomtherapist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicholscounselingllc
