Nicole Forester , LPC, LPCC

Nicole Forester welcomes people who are looking for steady, empathic support during difficult seasons of life. She offers nonjudgmental listening that helps clients find and hear their own voice, and she invites people to speak honestly and at the pace that feels right for them. Nicole believes that beginning with a clear, full expression of one’s truth creates a helpful foundation for therapeutic work and that asking for help is an important act of courage.

She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado - credentials that reflect graduate training and state licensure to provide mental health counseling. She is also a Nationally Board-Certified Music Therapist, a credential that indicates specialized training and certification in using music-based methods to support emotional and therapeutic goals. Nicole earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy from Utah State University in 2002 and completed an internship at Bethany Children’s Home in Pennsylvania. She later received a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix in 2007.

Nicole has worked across a range of clinical settings, including university neuropsychiatric and inpatient units, addiction recovery and outpatient services, in-home crisis teams, hospice work with children and teens, and intensive outpatient programs. She maintained a private practice in San Francisco from 2012 to 2019. She encourages prospective clients to interview therapists to find a good fit and is willing to talk about the type of support someone is seeking and to answer questions about the process. Nicole emphasizes objective listening and collaborative care as practical ways to move forward, and she appreciates the effort it takes to reach out for help.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Nicole integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered methods, and cognitive behavioral techniques into online sessions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most to them and build actions that align with their values while learning to live with difficult thoughts and feelings - it can be useful for stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on empathic listening and creating a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients lead the pace and content of sessions - this approach can help with relationship concerns, self-esteem, and grief. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools to identify and shift patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to symptoms like anxiety, depression, and difficulties with sleep or eating.

Finding the best approach is part of the therapeutic work; Nicole collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress is made. This collaborative process helps ensure therapy stays relevant and effective for the individual.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy lives, maintain continuity when circumstances change, and access licensed professionals from home or other convenient locations while still engaging in meaningful therapeutic work.