Wild Instincts
Creative and Holistic Therapy
Nicole Nakamura MA,LPC,LMHC, ATR
She/her/ hers
As a transpersonal, somatic art therapist, I seamlessly integrate relational, body-based, and trauma-informed approaches into our sessions, inviting your entire being into the therapeutic space. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or diagnoses, I embrace your complete personhood, viewing your unique experiences through a wide lens. Central to our work is nurturing a strong therapeutic relationship, a foundation upon which healing begins and evolves throughout our journey together. I continuously return to this cornerstone, fostering trust and connection. Our lives are shaped by experiences, and perception forms our reality. You possess an innate ability to heal; sometimes, however, our adaptive responses inadvertently hinder this process. I guide you through a deeper exploration of your experiences, working with defenses and parts that hold painful aloneness, leading to enduring changes in areas of concern. In my approach, I blend warmth, curiosity, and deep empathetic presence. Each person relates, shares, and connects in their own way; I meet you precisely where you are and honor your unique process. Gently, I accompany you toward your emotions, sensations, and experiences, fostering a safe environment rooted in acceptance and compassion for your needs, desires, and fears.
HUMAN FIRST
I am human first and therapist second. I have my ups and downs and all of the in between moments too. I am learning everyday just as much as you how to navigate being human in this world. With so much change, I believe learning to adapt, connect and create are vital to our wellbeing. The ocean is one of my favorite places to be, story telling through dance brings me into focus and making art helps me make sense of the unseen and sometimes unspeakable. I love slow mornings with coffee and restful days. I am often in constant learning, listening and wondering and have many Alaka'i I continue to humble learn from. I am deeply sensitive and constantly cultivating my relationship with myself and everything around me as a way to better attune to the needs of community. Everything is pilina and I hold the deep belief that through all relationship we learn more than we ever could on our own. Reach out today to set up a free consultation.
Being a therapist has been my life's purpose since I was 15. I have known since then that I want to support others in breaking barriers to reconnect with their wholeness. I firmly believe in the importance of integrity and authenticity in the therapeutic relationship and know that it is important for me to continually check my privilege and be held accountable in this sacred work. I believe healing cannot occur in isolation and that regardless of your race, gender or sexual orientation, you deserve and are entitled to access care. The sanctity of the therapeutic relationship is the highest priority. I am devoted to the responsibility this role requires of me. I believe in open communication and collaboration and will often check in with you about your experience. I believe that I can only help you as much as I help myself, and am committed to my own personal growth as much as I am yours. I am deeply human and believe in exploring all edges of myself and being able to learn together. As a professional, I am held to a high standard by the community and licensure boards. My capacity to do my job well means tending to my overall wellbeing, continued personal growth and professional development.
Beliefs
EXPerience
Over the last 10 years I have worked and trained in various settings including: Primary therapist at an HIV/AIDS organization where I created art therapy programming for the organization, Individual and Family therapist in a residential treatment facility for young adults, a transitional living program for young adults, camp facilitator for an all girls youth empowerment camp, contract therapist at a women's center working with adolescents and their families and now I have my own private practice. I do contract work within the community for various art therapy programming of all ages and primarily youth. Having exposure to a variety of settings has imparted me with a diverse range of experience to increase my depth and breadth as a therapist. I have specific training in the treatment of trauma through the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute of Colorado. Being an art therapist I will often weave art- based interventions into the knowledge I have of working with the treatment of trauma, interpersonal challenges, spiritual wisdom and the body.
Education
Masters Degree - Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Art Therapy
Naropa University, 2015
Bachelor of Arts - Studio Art
University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2012
Training and Memberships
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Registered Art Therapist (ATR)
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1: Affect Regulation, Survival Defenses, and Traumatic Memory
Certified Addiction Counseling Courses through the Odyssey Training Center in Denver
AEDP Training Workshops
EMDR Trained through EMDR Consulting