A woman trauma therapist with long red hair wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, sitting on a light-colored sofa with her hand resting on her face, looking directly at the camera.

Therapy & Somatic Movement for Body Mind Resilience

I’m Nicole. Before becoming a therapist, I spent 16 years teaching Classical Pilates and running my own studio in San Francisco. Working with people in pain taught me that life experiences often show up in the body long before we recognize their impact.

I watched stress, anxiety, grief, perfectionism, and trauma shape the way people moved, felt, and related to themselves. That changed the course of my career, sparked a deeper curiosity about the nervous system, and eventually led me back to school to become a therapist.

Why This Work Matters to Me

I grew up as the daughter of a Vietnam combat veteran and am now married to a firefighter.

I watched a strong, capable father carry the burden of war largely on his own. Like many veterans of his generation, he didn't have access to the kind of culturally competent support that exists today. Later, through my husband's career and my own experience as a firewife, I've gained a deeper appreciation for the unique demands first responders and their families navigate every day.

These experiences taught me how easy it is for people to suffer in silence when they don't feel understood. They also reinforced something I believe deeply: healing doesn't happen in isolation. It happens in connection, community, and in the presence of people willing to listen without judgment.

That belief continues to shape both my life and my work.

I earned my Master's in Counseling Psychology, completed a three-year professional training program in Somatic Experiencing®, and I’m EMDR trained. I continue to pursue advanced education in trauma, nervous system regulation, and relationship health.

My commitment to learning extends beyond books. Some of my most meaningful lessons have come from spending time alongside the communities I serve.

For me, understanding first responder culture happens one conversation at a time. I spend time in the stations, participate in ride-alongs, and have the privilege of working alongside peer support through the First Responder Support Network as a clinician.

I've learned that being a first responder therapist requires more than clinical knowledge. It means sharing stories, having a meal together, cracking jokes, staying humble, and maintaining a genuine commitment to learning from the people living the experience.

    • Pre-Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)

    • Pre-Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC)

    • Master's in Counseling Psychology, University of San Francisco

    • Three-Year Somatic Experiencing® Training

    • EMDRIA-Approved EMDR Trained Therapist

    • 16 Years Teaching Classical Pilates

    • 1,500+ Hours of Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training

    • Professional Training in Fascial Release and Movement Rehabilitation

    • Volunteer Clinician, First Responder Support Network

    • 40+ Hours of Fire and Law Enforcement Ride-Alongs