My Work

My goal is for my clients to feel empowered with the knowledge, tools, and self-confidence they need to heal, grow, and thrive.  

With a background in clinical social work and education, I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse population of youths, adults, and families in a variety of contexts.  I help individual and group clients process and navigate traumatic life events, difficult transitions, challenging relational dynamics, and mental health symptoms. I employ person-centered, systems-minded, and evidence-based interventions, utilizing elements of CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, and attachment theory. I also love to integrate many different mediums of expression into sessions: conversation, art, play, writing, music, movement, etc. 

I hope we can approach our sessions as we would a growing garden. With each appointment, we'll work together to explore the landscape of your experiences, plant seeds of insight, and nurture them with care and compassion. These seeds represent new perspectives, sources of strength, and self-awareness. Through the therapeutic process, the seeds are  watered and fed with empathy, understanding, guidance, and patience -- encouraging roots to take hold and buds to blossom into their fullest potential.

Nicole Gonzalez Smith, LCSW

I understand that it can be hard to open up and face 

the heavier parts of the 

human experience. 

I'm here, and honored, 

to bear it with you.  

I specialize in working with children, teens, young adults, and caregivers around trauma, grief,  anxiety, depression, ADHD, emotional regulation and behavioral challenges, family and peer conflict, relationships, identity,  migration, and life transitions. 

• Licensed Social Worker, Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health
• Masters in Education with a concentration in Human Learning and Development
• Bilingual K-5 School-Based Therapist 
• Community Mental Health Therapist for individuals of all ages
• Intensive In-Home Family Therapist at an urban non-profit agency serving children and families with trauma
• Professional development in Pediatric Anxiety, Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR, Neurodivergence (Dyslexia, ADHD, Sensory Processing, Executive Function), etc.
• Classroom Teacher & Learning Specialist (3rd-8th grades in both public and private educational settings)
• Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate for children of neglect and abuse

Click here to see my Linked-In

I believe that compassion and trust are at the core of every nurturing relationship.

I strive for these qualities in my connections with my clients, and I work to develop those qualities in my clients' relationships with themselves and others.

My approach is thoughtful, creative, empathetic, collaborative, culturally-affirming, trauma-informed, 

and resiliency-oriented. 

I lead with presence, warmth 

and unconditional positive regard.  I believe that all behavior has purpose. I listen and 

look for strengths.  
 

Together, we'll explore how your life experiences, needs, boundaries, and beliefs show up in your thoughts, feelings, actions, relationships, and body. 

We'll also delve into various coping strategies, examining their effectiveness and compatibility with your personality, values, and circumstances. Whether it's mindfulness exercises, cognitive restructuring, creative expression, or interpersonal skill building, I tailor my approach to meet each person's specific needs and preferences.

My clients find that, as they cultivate greater self-awareness and self-acceptance, they discover newfound freedom, agency, inner peace, and fulfillment.