Nicole Groves

You deserve a therapist who understands the complexity of the human mind and provides a safe, inclusive environment. My name is Nicole Groves, and I am a licensed therapist dedicated to helping you navigate life's challenges with resilience and self-awareness.

After five years as a K-12 educator, I transitioned from the classroom to community mental health across East Texas before entering private practice. This background gives me a unique, firsthand understanding of the immense stressors facing high-pressure helping professions like teachers, nurses, and first responders. My practice also serves as an affirming, nonjudgmental haven for individuals who often feel misunderstood in traditional clinical settings, including the LGBTQ+, polyamorous, and kink/BDSM communities.

In our sessions, we work as collaborative partners to navigate burnout, anxiety, and trauma. I reject "one size fits all" templates, choosing instead to tailor evidence-based practices to your specific needs. By combining Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Trauma-Focused CBT with somatic techniques and my background as a registered yoga teacher, we focus on both mental clarity and nervous system regulation. You can expect a direct, compassionate, and empowering space where you can be your authentic self without fear of judgment.

What is your approach to therapy?

I use evidence-based practices to address trauma, anxiety, and burnout through a holistic and systemic lens. I reject "one size fits all" templates, focusing instead on how your unique environment and career impact your well-being. My approach integrates research-backed modalities tailored to both mind and body:

• Somatic Therapy & Mindfulness: Grounded in my background as a registered yoga teacher, this work helps you identify and "offload" the physical tension and nervous system dysregulation caused by chronic stress.
• DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy): This modality teaches practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and building sustainable boundaries.
• TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): This structured approach resolves the emotional impact of critical incidents and long-term exposure to suffering.

Our sessions function as an active, collaborative partnership. My style is direct, transparent, and completely nonjudgmental, providing an affirming space to safely process the weight of your day and build practical resilience.

What can clients expect from their first session with you?

Your first session is a structured, collaborative intake designed to establish a safe and comfortable foundation for your treatment. We will discuss your background, current challenges, and the systemic stressors impacting your life, while identifying your specific goals for therapy. This meeting allows you to experience a direct, affirming, and completely nonjudgmental environment where you can be your authentic self without fear of shame.

We will look at your well-being through both a mental and physiological lens, discussing how we can integrate evidence-based practices like DBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, or somatic techniques to support you. You will leave this session with a clear, tailored roadmap for your treatment and a partnership focused entirely on your empowerment, resilience, and personal peace.