Domenica South

Hi, I’m Nikki — owner of Dragonfly Haven Wellness LCSW PLLC. I’m looking forward to starting our work together.

I’m a licensed clinical social worker with a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University, earned in 2003. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of supporting children, teens, adults, and families through life’s challenges in both outpatient and school-based mental health settings.

I believe therapy works best when you feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood. My approach is warm and collaborative, while also helping to point out connections to support your growth. I draw from a blend of psychodynamic therapy, relational approaches, CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and Encompass co-occurring treatment to help clients build insight, strengthen coping skills, and create meaningful change.

I’ve recently completed a certified integrative mental health provider course and somatic technique training to focus more on body-based approaches alongside traditional talk therapy to support healing as a whole-person process.

Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck, you don’t have to do it alone. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable showing up exactly as you are and knowing that I am here to work alongside you as you move towards change.

Therapy with me is meant to feel supportive, comfortable, and real. I know opening up can be awkward or overwhelming at first, especially for teens and young adults, so I focus on creating a space where you can show up as yourself without feeling judged or pressured.

My style is warm, collaborative, and down-to-earth. I believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine connection, not just someone talking at you. We work together to figure out what’s getting in the way, what’s feeling hard, and what changes would actually make life feel more manageable.

I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Somatic tools to help clients better understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors all connect as well as the connection to our bodies. Together, we identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck and build practical tools to help with things like anxiety, overthinking, low motivation, emotional overwhelm, stress, and self-confidence.

When working with teens and young adults, I focus on real-life challenges—school stress, ADHD, friendships, family conflict, relationships, burnout, depression, anxiety, motivation, and feeling overwhelmed by expectations. Sessions are personalized to fit your needs and personality, balancing coping skills, emotional support, problem-solving, and helping you feel more confident navigating everyday life.

I see therapy as a team effort. My goal is to help you feel understood, gain insight into yourself, build healthier coping skills, and feel more in control of your life moving forward.

Clients can expect a supportive, nonjudgmental space where they feel heard, respected, and understood. I work to build a strong therapeutic relationship, as I believe this is the foundation for meaningful growth and change.

In our sessions, we will work collaboratively to understand your concerns, identify patterns, and set clear, achievable goals. I take a practical, skills-based approach, helping you develop tools to manage anxiety, improve mood, increase motivation, and navigate relationships more effectively.

For teens and young adults, I focus on making therapy engaging and relevant—connecting what we discuss in session to real-life situations such as school, friendships, family dynamics, and decision-making. When appropriate, I also collaborate with parents or caregivers to support progress outside of sessions.

If you are struggling with both mental health and substance use, I provide an integrated approach that addresses both at the same time, helping you build healthier coping strategies and long-term stability.

Overall, you can expect therapy to be a balance of support, insight, and actionable strategies—designed to help you feel more confident, capable, and in control of your life