Claire Nickel, Marriage and Family Therapy Associate

I work with individuals, couples, and families who are navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, relationship stress, identity questions, faith-related concerns, and the often difficult process of reconnecting with themselves and others. A significant part of my work is with clients who grew up with emotionally immature, emotionally unavailable, or highly reactive caregivers and are now trying to understand how those early relationship patterns continue to shape the way they communicate, manage conflict, and view themselves. I help clients slow down and make sense of their emotional responses, recognize protective patterns that may have once helped them survive, and learn new ways of relating that feel more grounded, honest, and connected. In individual therapy, I draw from Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy to help clients express their true emotions, reclaim self-confidence, and strengthen their voice. With couples, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy to help partners identify the negative cycles they get stuck in, better understand the fears and needs underneath conflict or disconnection, and practice more vulnerable, responsive ways of reaching for each other.

I earned my master’s degree in Couple and Family Therapy from the University of Kentucky and my undergraduate degree in Family Sciences from Brigham Young University. While I value meaningful clinical work, most of my time outside the therapy room is spent chasing around my two toddlers. For “me time,” I love being in nature, exercising, making good food, and playing just about any racquet sport whenever I get the chance. I am originally from Nova Scotia, Canada—and yes, for anyone wondering, I do love Anne of Green Gables and maple syrup. Nova Scotia is a beautiful place to visit if you ever get the chance. Peggy's Cove would be the site to see.