therapy services

Hi there! I’m Nicky, and at HeartArtConnection, I bring a variety of therapeutic techniques to my work with clients. My approach is holistic, and individualized, aimed at meeting your unique needs. I have a Masters in Expressive Therapies and Mental Health counseling and bring twenty years of experience to my work with clients.

The foundation of my work is steeped in the Internal Family Systems (parts work) therapeutic framework, which is a therapeutic model that works with the individual as a whole, while recognizing we are made up of many parts, all serving a function. When we identify, explore, dialogue and relate to these parts, over time we gain greater understanding and compassion toward ourselves, as well as access to practical tools to improve our daily functioning and wellbeing.

My second love is Expressive Arts Therapy, which I integrate into my practice and therapy sessions as well, as needed, and tailored to you as a unique individual. No one will be forced to create art! Expressive arts therapy utilizes creative modalities such as music, songwriting, movement, visual art and more as vehicles for self-expression and to shed light into the subconscious mind. By engaging in these holistic forms of expression, we gain insight and creative solutions that we may not be able to access by processing verbally alone.

My third love is Mindfulness. All the therapeutic work would not go as far as it does without building a muscle of compassionate awareness, the one within us that observes, a witness to our inner lives. This practice is different than the ability to analyze, but rather a practice of building a gracious capacity to be with what comes up internally. It is a practice of of allowing versus resisting or fighting against what we feel, and instead offering grace where there is judgement or shame.

A lot of our life we are on autopilot or analyzing from an intellectual space as a way to cope and at times to escape challenging emotions and being present in our bodies. A practice of Mindfulness builds a capacity to be with and witness what is present without running away or avoiding it. It gives us direct access to perceive and work with the subconscious. This practice of Mindfulness can shed light on various parts of ourselves that carry stories and emotion, showing up as daily patterns, physical sensations and more.

This leads to the final modality I tap into in my therapeutic work with clients which is Somatic Therapy. At times just being with and riding the wave of an emotion and the physical sensation that comes along with it, is the most powerful tool you can have. It’s right there, inviting you in. Somatic therapy focuses on listening and following our body’s cues and wisdom. If a sensation had a voice, what would it say, what does it need. By attuning to our physical sensations, our body can unlock the key for what our body and our Self needs from a felt sense perspective. We gain greater insight as well as connection to our physical body and intuition for healing.

My goal is to meet you where you are with compassion and help you build skills and insight for greater confidence, empowerment, self-compassion, clarity, emotion regulation and well-being.

I work best with clients who are curious and eager to explore and grow personally and professionally. If you’re interested in deepening your self-awareness, intuition, creativity, and connection to your authentic self, I’d love to work with you.

For individual therapy, we’ll typically meet weekly or bi-weekly for a 53-minute session. I accept a few insurance plans in Arizona and Massachusetts (see below) and also offer private pay options.