RACHEL NICHOLSON, LCSW
Hi, I’m Rachel
PSYCHOTHERAPIST AT HEAD FIRST HEALTH
I am so excited you’re here. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel a little scary (I’ve totally been there!), and I want you to know you don’t have to figure it all out alone. If you have been feeling stuck in your life, feeling like you're barely holding it together, or feeling like you just need some outside perspective- I am here to help!
In our sessions, we’ll create a cozy, safe, judgment-free space (with a touch of humor) where you can show up exactly as you are. It is your time to spill your thoughts, vent about life, or explore what’s really holding you back. Whether it’s messy thoughts, tough emotions, or those “what if” fears you don’t say out loud, this is where they belong. We will work through it together and you will leave feeling supported, understood, and ready to take on whatever comes next.
I specialize in helping people like you tackle OCD, Anxiety & Panic, Life Transitions, and Relationship Issues using proven techniques like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness practices. We’ll tackle those overwhelming thoughts and emotions head-on and rewrite the narrative, so you’re the one calling the shots—not your anxiety. Imagine waking up with clarity, feeling lighter, and knowing you have the tools to handle whatever life throws your way. You deserve to wake up feeling good about life and confident in yourself—and I’d love to help you get there!
“We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.”
“We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.”
Throughout the years this has looked like:
Graduating with my Bachelors in Psychology from Michigan State University
Graduating with my Masters of Social Work from the University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign
Obtaining my LCSW
Completing an internship at an intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization program at a large behavioral health hospital
Working with those who struggle with OCD, Anxiety, Depression, Self-esteem, and Relationship issues.
MY STYLE: Compassionate, Down-to-earth, Passionate, & Goal-focused.
MY FRAMEWORK: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, & Solution Focused Therapy.
FAST FACTS: In my free time you can find me doing too much online shopping, spending quality time with my loved ones, eating yummy Italian food (mostly pasta and bread yum!), working out, reading my horoscope (Sagittarius baby) or watching anything true crime.
