areas of expertise

Nikki specializes in working with individuals struggling with eating disorders, anxiety, and trauma. She also works with parents to help navigate the changing dynamics when children enter a relationship or your life. She is very passionate about working with young adults and millennials. Nikki works toward empowering them to appreciate themselves for who they truly are on the inside.

Nikki is trained in Eye-movement Desensitization and Reprocessing  (EMDR) and can help clients to overcome their past experiences utilizing this modality. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to encourage clients to change their thoughts and behavior. Nikki has a passion for Mindfulness and teaching clients how to be more present in their daily lives.

experience + internships

Experience:

Montenido Vista, Agoura Hills

Montenido Eating Disorder Center of California, Los Angeles

Pelican Cove Counseling Center, Los Angeles

Nikki was the Assistant Clinical Director at Monte Nido Vista in Agoura Hills, which is one of the leading eating disorder treatment centers in the country. While working in the residential level of care Nikki found her passion for working with individuals of all ages and modeling a healthy relationship with food and body image. Nikki additionally worked at the Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) levels of care at Monte Nido’s Eating Disorder Center of California in Brentwood. Here as the lead therapist she helped to motivate her clients to make the transition from being in treatment to navigating their home environments, schools, and workplaces.

After her time with Montenido, Nikki opened up her own practice where she continues to have a passion for treating eating disorders and helping individuals change their relationship with food, build self-esteem, and develop a positive relationship with their body. In addition to supervising associates in her practice, Nikki continues to supervise new therapists at Pelican Cove Counseling Center where her students work with underserved populations while earning their masters degrees. Nikki additionally works as a supervisor at the Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity serving the University of Southern California student body community.

Internships:

Clare Foundation, Santa Monica 

Thelma Mcmillen Center, Torrance

Nikki completed her internship hours at the Clare Foundation in Santa Monica, a residential treatment program for substance abuse and addiction. While there she counseled her clients in the detox facility, built relationships with them, and helped them find sobriety through their strengths and alternative coping mechanisms. 

Additionally Nikki interned at Thelma McMillen Recovery Center in Torrance. Here she counseled adolescents with substance abuse. Nikki worked with the teens and their families to work on communication skills, challenging family dynamics, and set up boundaries among family members. Nikki worked in the school system in the South Bay as well and brought her positive yet direct attitude to the teens in the drug and alcohol programs at Mira Costa High School and Redondo Union High School.