Nicole Kleiman-Reck

LMHC

While therapy is my chosen career path, I am proud to say that I guide my clients in accordance to how I guide myself through troubling times. This consists of self-compassion, willingness to accept some discomfort in order to change, and being open to the beauty and benefits that come with vulnerability. I always prioritize my client during sessions and am comfortable with personal disclosure, but only if I feel it will benefit my client. Therapy is effective when you are ready to see yourself as you are--it is at this point that you are truly ready to face what is not working. And I love this point when we are able to collaborate so you can achieve YOUR best self.

Just one thing? I love what I do because I know therapy works. But it only works if you do! And I know that if a person is looking into therapy, thinking about therapy, AND also nervous about starting therapy, this is 100% normal. This is actually a sign that you are in touch with the present moment of looking into therapy in the first place. Most of us fear the unknown, most of us have self-doubt, but it is your choice if you allow this thought to stop you from embarking on a journey of positive change. So, you can feel the self doubt AND choose to enter therapy-this is the true definition of empowerment. I wish more people knew that their mind is not usually there to guide them in the right direction, so you don’t need to act on every thought that enters your mind (including the avoidance of making this therapy appointment). It keeps popping up for a reason, and the more one avoids discomfort, the more discomfort usually appears. Therapy is 100% confidential (as long as there is no actual plan or intention for harm) and having an unbiased partner to guide and connect with during difficult times is really the ultimate form of self-care…..and you are worth it!

Developing therapy goals is extremely collaborative and I will meet you where you are at. I first streamline a psychosocial history so we can really focus on what brings you into therapy now. While circumstances from the past often play a role in what you are presenting in therapy, I try to help you stay grounded during our sessions so you can really get to the core of what you are doing today-what’s working and what’s not working so we can develop the best strategies to get you to where you want to be. We will work on “uncollapsing” your past so you can see that life is not one long book but rather composed of many chapters that do have an ending. By the end of our first session, my goal is to help you determine therapy goals that are specific and measurable, and I am happy to serve as your accountability partner. The therapy goals are set in session, but acted upon in between sessions. It is only with the action that we can evaluate in session what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to be changed. This is my motto for life--we evaluate, never judge our progress.