Nicole Guessford , LCSW

Nicole Guessford is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 23 years of experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting challenges, and relationship or intimacy concerns. Her approach aims to be respectful, direct, and practical to support someone taking a first step toward change.

She blends structured work with a holistic outlook. Sessions often include clear goals and hands-on strategies. Clients can expect suggestions to practice between meetings so progress continues outside sessions.

Nicole uses evidence-informed methods like acceptance and commitment work and cognitive behavioral tools to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. She also draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationships affect current patterns and uses client-centered listening to understand each person’s experience.

Her background includes work across clinical settings over two decades, with experience related to trauma and abuse, family stress, caregiving burdens, chronic health concerns, and mood differences such as bipolar disorder. She describes her style as structured and direct while maintaining compassion and sensitivity.

For people concerned about practicalities, Nicole practices via telehealth only and sees clients under insurance plans. She encourages anyone ready to try therapy to take the next step and start a conversation about what they hope to change.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on spotting unhelpful thinking and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like worry, low mood, or sleep problems. It often includes practical exercises to try between sessions.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with clients about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before, then shape a plan that mixes approaches as needed. That teamwork helps make sure sessions feel relevant and goal oriented.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people use visual cues and a fuller conversation. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat or text-based messaging can suit quick updates, occasional coaching, or when written reflection feels helpful. Together these formats make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life while using ACT and CBT tools in real time and between meetings.