Nicole Garza

Compassionate therapist for life transitions

LCSW North Carolina

Experience: 13 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Nicole

Nicole Garza is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 13 years of experience who helps adults navigate stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, relationship challenges, and mood concerns. She approaches therapy with an emphasis on building a trusting therapeutic relationship as the foundation for honest work and meaningful change.

Background and approach

Her practice addresses a broad range of issues including grief, self-esteem, coping with life changes, intimacy and family problems, and compassion fatigue. Nicole draws from several evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to tailor care to each individual.

Her background includes work with people facing domestic violence, addiction, caregiver stress, gender dysphoria, and other complex challenges that often overlap. Based in North Carolina, she offers services in English and accepts international clients when appropriate.

She emphasizes collaboration in setting goals and measuring progress, using a strengths-based orientation and systemic perspectives when family patterns are relevant. Prospective clients are invited to take the first step toward support by following the site’s scheduling process and matching questionnaire.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaching practical strategies to shift them; it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and many stress-related concerns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify values, accept unwanted internal experiences, and take committed action toward meaningful goals, which can be helpful for chronic stress, avoidance, and issues with motivation. Attachment-Based Therapy explores relational patterns and emotional bonds formed over time to improve current relationship dynamics and address attachment-related difficulties.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each client to understand their goals, preferences, and needs, then recommend and adapt methods from CBT, ACT, or attachment-focused work so the plan fits the person rather than forcing a single model.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and to access care from different locations. These formats allow for ongoing skill practice, check-ins between appointments, and varied ways to communicate that can support different comfort levels and life circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

Nicole works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, self-esteem issues, grief, depression, bipolar disorder, relationship and family problems, compassion fatigue, and related concerns such as body image, abandonment, and isolation.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style centers on building trust and a strong working relationship while using practical, evidence-informed methods such as CBT, ACT, and DBT to support skill-building and insight.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings 13 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, working with individuals, couples, and families across different settings.

Where is she licensed and what are her credentials?

She holds the credential NC LCSW C007548 and practices from North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Can she work with people who live outside the United States?

Yes, she accepts international clients and provides services in English for those located outside North Carolina when arrangements allow.

What formats are available for sessions?

Sessions may be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.

How is cost handled for therapy sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma and abuse Self esteem Coping with life changes

Also works with

LGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepression Compassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityControl issuesDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

13+ years

Licensed

North Carolina

Languages

English