Nicole Acosta, LMFT Clinical Director
Nicole has over 14 years of experience as a psychotherapist. She uses an interactive strength-based therapeutic approach and practices relational psychotherapy by assisting individuals to conceptualize their own attachment style, gain insight, and discover other opportunities to experience a satisfying quality of life.
Since no one person is the same, Nicole believes in implementing a multi-faceted method to the treatment process. When called for she uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help recognize when thoughts are troublesome and modifies problematic patterns of behavior. Nicole also incorporates Psychodynamic and Mindfulness Therapy to help work towards acceptance by managing feelings and emotions. Solution-Focused Therapy may also be implemented along with a client-centered approach in which one can expect to expand insight and self-awareness, strengthen self-worth and improve overall self-reliance.
Together, both client and therapist collaborate with goal setting to alleviate crisis, unwanted past hurt, or challenging stressors.
When it comes to relationships, Nicole guides individuals in exploring their understanding of the relational stressors such as repetitive behavioral patterns and the persistent challenges or conflicts present within the troubled relationship. Nicole's intention is to bring awareness and develop a deeper insight to the client to cultivate a more harmonious interaction in the relationship dynamic.
Background
Nicole Acosta is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist (CA#: 107276) who focuses in empowering individuals. Her specialties consist of working with children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety, depressive, and trauma-related disorders. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education with a concentration in Community Based Public Health from San Francisco State University and obtained her Master’s of Science Counseling degree, in Marriage Family Child Therapy.
Her clinical work has been applied in both inpatient and outpatient settings with non-profit organizations that have partnered with Alameda County Social Services Agency serving children, youth and families within the departments of the juvenile justice system, foster-care system, to local clinics, and hospital settings such as John Muir Hospital that delivered care to patients with psychiatric or severely mentally ill (SMI) behavioral problems.
After working in several underserved populations, her passion for social justice, led her to other areas of interest including trauma, multigenerational families, multicultural/acculturation and understanding relational attachment styles.
Nicole values patience and compassion while working alongside you during this journey toward healing. Discovering who you are can be the most liberating experience and lead to a fulfilling life.