- Client-centered
- Solution-focused
- Goal oriented
About Nicole
Nicole Ballas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York with 27 years of experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, anger, addictions, bipolar mood concerns, sleep problems, relationship difficulties, grief, and help around ADHD and life changes.
She has extensive clinical experience including many years as a primary therapist and more than two decades managing an inpatient psychiatry unit. That background means she has worked with a wide range of mental health concerns and complex situations. She draws on practical approaches rather than lengthy theory talks.
Nicole uses a client-centered style that focuses on listening and establishing clear goals. Sessions tend to be straightforward and goal-oriented. She pairs client-centered work with solution-focused methods to identify small, useful steps clients can try between meetings.
In practice she emphasizes building trust through attentive listening, plain feedback, and occasional use of humor. The work addresses immediate problems like anger outbursts or sleep disruption while also looking at patterns that keep those problems repeating. Nicole encourages people to notice strengths they already have and to use them when trying new strategies.
People who choose her often want practical tools, clearer boundaries, and relief from recurring frustration or resentment. The approach is collaborative: Nicole and the client set goals and track progress together. She asks straightforward questions and helps clients test changes in everyday life.
How her approaches translate to online therapy
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, understanding the client's perspective, and shaping sessions around the client's priorities. It helps people feel heard and supports work on issues like anger, grief, and self-esteem by centering the person's own goals and insights.Solution-Focused Therapy homes in on concrete, achievable steps. Sessions look for small changes that make a noticeable difference, such as short behavioral experiments or new communication strategies to try between meetings. This approach is useful for stress, relationship tension, and repeated patterns of frustration.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Nicole will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That means trying ideas, checking what helps, and adjusting as needed rather than following a single script.
Confirm the specific session formats before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, shorten travel time, and allow for brief check-ins when needed. Many people find that remote sessions help maintain momentum between in-person appointments and let them practice strategies in real life soon after a session.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
27+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of anger or frustration does she help with?
She helps people who struggle with losing their temper, building resentment, or living with another person's anger. Work can target anger at home, at work, and in close relationships.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is client-centered and solution-focused, emphasizing listening, clear goals, and practical steps you can try between sessions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 27 years of professional experience and more than 20 years managing an inpatient psychiatry unit.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in New York and practices from New York.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she accept clients from other countries?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.