Nikki Goins

You may know the version of yourself you want to become, but feel frustrated by the patterns that keep pulling you away from her. Maybe you want to feel more confident, more grounded, more in control, or more connected to your life—but anxiety, substance use, avoidance, impulsive choices, self-criticism, or unhealthy coping keeps getting in the way.

Sometimes these behaviors start as survival strategies. They may help you numb out, avoid conflict, escape pressure, feel in control, or get through something difficult. But over time, the same coping patterns that once helped you function can begin to interfere with your relationships, goals, health, self-worth, and sense of identity.

I work with teens and adults navigating mental health concerns, substance use, and maladaptive behaviors that are making it harder to live in alignment with who they want to be. For teens, this may look like school stress, family conflict, peer pressure, emotional shutdown, risky choices, or feeling stuck between who others expect you to be and who you actually are. For adults, it may look like repeating the same cycles, struggling to follow through, relying on substances or avoidance to cope, or feeling disappointed in yourself even when you are trying.

My goal is not to shame you out of these patterns. My goal is to help you understand them, interrupt them, and replace them with choices that move you closer to the life you actually want.

I describe my therapeutic style as empathetic, collaborative, and person-centered. I believe therapy works best when you feel understood as a whole person—not judged by your symptoms, substance use, choices, or past behavior. At the same time, I believe growth requires honesty, reflection, and a willingness to try something different.

I integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy into my work. Each approach helps us look at change from a different angle.

ACT helps us identify what matters most to you and practice making choices based on your values rather than fear, shame, urges, or avoidance. CBT helps us examine the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so you can recognize patterns and respond in healthier ways. DBT gives us concrete skills for managing emotions, tolerating distress, improving communication, and reducing impulsive or harmful coping.

I am also trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy, which can be helpful when trauma, guilt, shame, or painful beliefs are shaping how you see yourself and the world. Depending on your needs, we may work on reducing self-blame, challenging rigid beliefs, increasing tolerance for discomfort, and building a life that feels more intentional.

My approach is especially helpful for clients who are tired of saying, “I know what I should do, so why can’t I do it?” Together, we can slow down the cycle, understand what keeps it going, and build practical steps toward the person you want to become.

During our first session, we will explore what is happening beneath the behavior while also building tools you can use in real life. Over time, we may work on understanding your triggers, challenging unhelpful thoughts, increasing emotional awareness, reducing harmful coping, building healthier routines, and reconnecting with your values.