Nicole Ambrose - Holistic Therapist

I started my career in social work many moons ago and have worked as a therapist, specifically, for eleven years. I have worked in a number of different settings outside of therapy, including community advocacy and outreach, program development, and substance abuse rehabilitation. I knew that I would end up working in human services in some kind of role because I have always had this natural ability to pick up on the emotions of others and a desire to help. As many newbies in the social work field, I finished school fully prepared to put on my superhero cape and make the world a better place. What I didn't anticipate was the amount of personal struggle I'd have and growth I'd gain along the way.

I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to work in different environments because it has helped me to develop perspective. In helping others sort through their life experiences and problems, I was forced to look in the mirror and do the work I needed to ensure that I could show up for others effectively. I have built my practice around holistic healing with a focus on trauma therapy because trauma is what I've seen as the gateway into so many other tribulations for folks, including myself.

As a therapist, I focus a lot of attention on building a trusting relationship with my clients because I know trust doesn't always come easy and I understand the ambivalence and fear of being vulnerable around someone. Many are taught that certain feelings are not acceptable to have or to talk about, so it takes time to build a genuine connection that feels safe and secure.

As a therapist, I focus a lot on building on existing resilience to improve confidence and empower my clients in their healing journey. I have been in that "stuck" place feeling like I'm just treading water with little hope that I can move forward. Sometimes the best catalyst for growth and self discovery is someone believing it's possible for you until you can believe that for yourself. In trauma work, we often have to trudge through the mud to gain insight about how our experiences have influenced our thinking, feelings, and interactions with the world. It helps to have a hand to guide you when the mud gets thick and harder to move through. With my support you'll learn tools to improve anxiety and stress management during difficult times.

I have dedicated a lot of my career to understanding how trauma and the maladaptive coping strategies that often result from it influence on our interpersonal relationships. It is difficult to navigate a relationship with someone else when there is still so much unresolved internally for a person. Often people have never had a strong example of a healthy relationship to begin with, so naturally they end up entering a similar cycle of dysfunction and unhappiness. I can tell you from experience that until that cycle is realized, it feels like you are banging your head against a wall and expecting it to be painless, but then blaming the wall for hurting you and sometimes even trying to hurt the wall back. In our work together, we will break down the barriers keeping you at odds with the people around you and instead build friendship, connection, intimacy, and shared meaning in life.

I believe in a holistic approach to establish balance between mental wellness, physical health and spiritual connection. Years ago, you wouldn't hear me talking about spirituality at all and this is a topic that many roll their eyes about, but it is an important component and can be incredibly healing. Spirituality is not a requirement for therapy to be effective, but it's helpful to have an open mind to at the very least explore what this concept means to you.

When I'm not working, I enjoy exploring nature. Grounding myself at the beach or taking in the fresh air of the woods, I feel a sense of freedom outdoors. I love concocting new creations in the kitchen and getting my hands dirty in the garden. I start my days with meditation...and a few cups of coffee of course. I love art in all its forms. I have an old soul with a unique vibe and I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have about my services. Thanks for taking the time to learn a little about me. Hope to hear from you!