Nicole Bankhead, Serenity Wellness and Counseling Center LLC

My main focus in my treatment is establishing a therapeutic relationship, as I believe to facilitate effective counseling the connection between therapist and client is most important. In therapy, I am compassionate, supportive, and present. I work with my clients to meet them where they are at emotionally but also provide them the accountability to help reach their goals.

I believe that the therapeutic process can help empower individuals to work through difficult life transitions, traumatic events, strained relationships, depression, anxiety, and other life stressors. My passion for exploring the underlying psychological forces that drive behavior and thought patterns, is the core to helping my clients make meaning of their life and achieve the changes they seek.

My counseling style combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). Collaboratively we work together to set goals and a treatment plan that can include the use of role play, meditation, psycho education, book studies, mindfulness, thought records, exposure techniques, cognitive restructuring, and eye movements. I strive to provide my clients with the necessary skills to be used outside the therapeutic office. I work with clients with range of diagnosis, including but not limited to; anxiety, depression, ADHD, eating disorders, mood disorders, relationships conflicts, trauma, and school conduct.

It is a core value of mine to never stop learning. That value pushes me to be the best therapist, special education advocate, and owner of Serenity Wellness and Counseling Center. I believe this passion helps provide my clients with the necessary tools to overcome their struggles.

Take a deep breath and give yourself credit for taking this first step to a happier healthier you. I would love to help you along your journey!

A quote that describes my philosophy, “the focus is about creating a life worth living, by balancing the need to become aware of and accept the things in life that you can’t change, while simultaneously working on the things which you can change to improve your emotional wellbeing and overall quality of life,” (HSE, Mental Health, 2017).

Get to Know Me:
I absolutely LOVE animals of all kinds! Ask me one day about how many animals I have had throughout my life!
I enjoy photography as a hobby.
I have an 11-year-old daughter and boy/girl twin 3-year old’s.
I enjoy dressing up but can fish and hunt with the best of them.
Oddly I don’t enjoy baking because I hate following directions to a T just to make something work right.

Credentials:
Licensed Professional Counselor
Trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy
EMDR Trained
Flash Technique Trained

Education:
Bachelor of Administration with minor in Marketing and International Studies
Teaching Certificates in General Education and Special Education
Master of Science in School Counseling with continuing education for my LPC

Affiliations:
National Board Certified Counselor
COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates)