- Practical coping skills
- Values-based change
- Mindfulness practice
About Nicholas
Nicholas Smith is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) with 13 years of experience. He works with people who feel stuck, unmotivated, overwhelmed, or like they need a life change. He often helps clients who are struggling with sleep, anxiety, stress, depression, addictions, and confidence. Nicholas focuses on helping people notice how their thoughts and feelings get in the way of daily life and reconnect with what matters to them.
His approach is straightforward and practical. Sessions look at how thoughts form and where they start. He helps people learn ways to challenge unhelpful thinking and build new habits that support goals and values. Mindfulness and present-moment work are used alongside more structured techniques when useful.
Nicholas has worked in a range of settings including a student counseling center, an inpatient psychiatric unit, a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center, and private practice. Those varied roles shaped the day-to-day tools he brings to sessions. He aims to combine clinical skill with a clear, down-to-earth manner.
He describes counseling as more than a job and says he draws on both psychology and philosophy. Nicholas tends to adapt methods to match each person rather than use a single fixed method. His style is to walk alongside clients with compassion while offering practical steps for change.
If you are trying to improve sleep, manage anxiety, address addictive patterns, or make a major life shift, he helps people break problems into manageable steps and set realistic goals.
Approach-focused online care and how it helps
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages people to get clearer about their values and take small steps toward them. It is useful when someone feels stuck, unmotivated, or unsure about life direction. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical skills to shift unhelpful patterns. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness and can help when emotions feel overwhelming.Nicholas aims to figure out which approaches fit each person. He treats finding the right mix as a team effort and adjusts methods based on the client’s goals and preferences. This collaborative stance helps tailor sessions to focus on what matters most to the client.
Confirm current online session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, cut down on travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also let people use mindfulness exercises or behavioral homework in their everyday environment, making practice more immediate and practical.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Credentials
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Nicholas commonly address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, addictions, self-esteem, and career or relationship struggles. Additional focuses include codependency, commitment and control issues, and social anxiety.
What is his therapy style like?
He combines mindfulness with structured techniques to help people notice thoughts and change unhelpful patterns. Sessions emphasize practical steps and values-driven goals.
How long has he been practicing?
He has 13 years of clinical experience across college counseling, inpatient psychiatric care, addiction treatment, and private practice.
Where is Nicholas licensed to practice?
He holds an Illinois LCPC credential and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He is not accepting international clients at this time.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with him?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.