- Warm but direct
- Nature-based ideas
- Goal focused
About Nicole
Nicole Phelan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Maine with nine years of experience. She brings a straightforward, compassionate style to sessions and encourages practical steps clients can use between meetings. Nicole emphasizes respect and dignity for each person who comes to therapy.
Before and during sessions she blends direct conversation with interactive work. She often suggests simple activities that connect people with nature to boost mood and build coping skills. That can mean brief outdoor exercises or ways to notice progress in everyday life.
Nicole has supported people facing depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar mood concerns, and trauma from emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. She has also helped those navigating parenting and family challenges, eating-related issues, codependency, and relationship struggles. Her background includes eight years in the Army Reserve and a 2003–2004 tour of duty in Iraq, which informs her understanding of military life.
Her approach draws on several practical therapies, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Attachment-Based Therapy, used to build skills for managing symptoms and improving relationships. Sessions are collaborative and goal-focused, with homework and experiments that people can try between meetings.
Nicole encourages clients who are ready to make changes and wants to support them through the early, often difficult steps. Prospective clients are invited to consider whether a direct, active style of therapy and occasional outdoor work would fit their needs.
How these approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on clarifying what matters to the person and taking small steps toward those values while learning to tolerate difficult thoughts and feelings. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, involves identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and practicing alternatives that reduce symptoms over time; it is frequently used for anxiety, depression, and coping skills. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns affect current connections and helps people build safer ways of relating to others and themselves.Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist and client will talk about goals, try methods in session, and adjust the plan based on what feels useful. That means the approach can change as needs and preferences become clearer.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make scheduling easier and help sessions fit into busy lives. It can allow shorter check-ins when time is tight, make it simpler to join from different locations, and reduce travel time so therapy is easier to keep up with alongside work, school, or family responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
9+ years
Credentials
Maine
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Nicole commonly address?
She works with people dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar mood issues, trauma, parenting and family conflict, eating concerns, and codependency.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is warm, direct, and interactive. She uses practical exercises and encourages activities people can try between sessions.
What is her professional background?
Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nine years of clinical experience and eight years in the Army Reserve, including a 2003–2004 tour in Iraq.
Where does Nicole practice and what is her credential?
She practices in Maine and holds the credential ME LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Maine.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Confirm current session options before booking to learn which formats are offered for scheduling and delivery.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Nicole?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.