Nicole Leonard

LSW

Nicole is a Licensed Social Worker who holds a Master’s Degree with a specialization in Youth, Families, and Community from Erikson Institute. From a very young age she has gravitated towards helping and advocating for kids, extensively caretaking for children and families throughout her life. It was through these intimate experiences that her interest in a child’s development, mind, experiences and attachment between caregiver and child heightened. Witnessing firsthand the stress and anxiety a young child can feel, she realized her purpose. Feeling a strong desire to advocate and continue to support the whole child and family, Nicole pursued her Social Work Degree. With two years of direct practice internship experience at The Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute, Nicole gained ample skills working with children, adolescents, and families in both a clinical and school setting.

Grounded in the belief that each individual possesses unique strengths, her therapeutic focus is on establishing a trusting alliance to facilitate understanding, successful navigation of challenges, and goal attainment for individuals and families. In her professional approach, Nicole emphasizes collaboration and values the benefits of working with diverse teams. Through expansive experience, she has effectively collaborated with therapeutic teams, teachers, school counselors and other professionals, recognizing the collective strength that multidisciplinary teamwork brings to support individuals and families comprehensively.

Beginning the journey of therapy can feel nerve-racking, uncomfortable and overwhelming, Nicole wants you to know that she will be by your side to best support you, stand alongside you and guide you through the unknown, implementing skills in session, unique to your needs, that can aid you in moments of challenge, while also highlighting the importance of the caretaker’s role throughout the journey. You never know unless you leap! Nicole has four years of experience working in a clinical setting extending across various settings including schools, daycares, and therapeutic outpatient practices. She enjoys working with a range of youth from ages 4-15. Nicole is always willing to provide observations or support in schools or facilitate conversations with other professionals in your child’s life to best support them. Her top priority is partnering with children, families, and communities to provide whole-family support. Her approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Play therapy, exposure therapy, parent-coaching, and family therapy, Nicole brings a versatile skill set to address the unique needs of those she serves.