Nicholas Mendoza-Bachicha

Hello there! My name is Nick, and if you’ve found yourself at a crossroads on this page, then wanderers welcome. Life is an adventure, and there are times when the rough waters take over our ship. My job is to help you get back on course, and sailing in the direction you want to go.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor who believes therapy works best when it feels collaborative, genuine, warm, and deeply human. My style is conversational, curious, and direct—with a real sense of humor and playfulness in the room. Therapy deals with serious parts of life, but it doesn't have to feel heavy or clinical every single minute. Laughing together creates space for honesty, softens self-criticism, and lets us look at tough patterns without getting consumed by them.

I pay close attention to interpersonal dynamics—how we relate to others and how those connections shape our inner world. I’m here to bring clinical clarity, curiosity, and a willingness to ask the difficult questions that invite a fresh perspective.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent a decade as a professional swim coach. Over those ten years on the deck, I realized that what I cared about most wasn't just physical performance, but helping young people navigate the tough seasons, pressure, and personal transitions in their lives. That realization led me to pivot from coaching to counseling, earning my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler Graduate School.

My work is grounded in Adlerian theory and my developing framework, Dynamic Individual Psychology. I believe that through our lived experiences, we build a mental "blueprint"—a set of deeply held conclusions about who we are, who others are, and what the world is like. This blueprint directly shapes our interpersonal style, influencing how we connect with others, set boundaries, navigate conflict, and decide who we need to be when the sea gets stormy.

As we parse out these layered dynamics together, we often discover something vital: we tend to be at our absolute best when we can leverage our unique strengths to connect, belong, and contribute to something beyond ourselves.

Because relational and existential themes are so deeply intertwined, I draw integratively from interpersonal, existential, psychodynamic, person-centered, CBT, mindfulness, and trauma-informed approaches. Rather than following a rigid formula, I tailor our work to you as a whole person—combining depth, practical tools, and a touch of lightness to help you navigate life with greater awareness, courage, and alignment.

In addition to working with individuals facing anxiety, depression, trauma, identity development, stress, and life transitions, I have specialized training in couples therapy (utilizing Emotionally Focused Therapy [EFT], Gottman Method, and the STRONG model) as well as psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Whether working with an individual, a couple, or a family, my goal is to meet you where you are and support your continued growth.

If I may return to the sailing metaphor one last time: think of our first session as turning the first page of a new adventure. While the journey may not be for the faint of heart, I believe our work begins with genuine understanding.

As I parachute into your world, step into the labyrinth of your experiences, and begin to map out where you are right now, we’ll talk about what brought you here, your key relationships, what you hope will change, and the life circumstances shaping your path.

This process won't always be easy or comfortable—real change asks us to look at hard things and navigate unmapped terrain. But in our first meeting, I promise to show up fully as myself, and I invite you to do the same.

Every crew and every vessel navigates differently, and no two voyages look alike. As Alfred Adler recognized, therapy itself is almost a distinct animal with every single individual, because each person carries their own unique melody as they move through the world. Our first session is our chance not just to meet, but to truly connect. I look forward to meeting you, getting to know you, and hearing your song and your story.