Nicole Randel , LISW

Nicole Randel is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) who focuses on creating a calm, straightforward space for people struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, body image, eating concerns, and LGBTQ topics. She aims to make conversations feel practical and down-to-earth so people can talk about what matters most without pressure.

Nicole uses clear, goal-oriented work combined with deeper emotion-focused work when needed. She draws on approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, and client-centered listening to help people notice patterns and try new actions. She also uses skills from dialectical behavior therapy and emotionally-focused therapy when emotions feel overwhelming.

Her background includes six years of clinical experience in Iowa as an LISW. That experience has included helping people navigate attachment and abandonment worries, communication and commitment questions, caregiver stress, and the challenges of chronic illness or pain. She also supports those handling family of origin issues and complex eating or body image concerns.

In sessions, Nicole aims to balance problem-solving with understanding feelings. She helps people build better coping skills, set clear values-based goals, and practice small changes that add up. Conversations are collaborative and paced to each person’s needs.

Nicole offers sessions in English and provides care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Getting started involves a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a session after choosing Start Therapy.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and taking steps that align with them, even when tough thoughts or feelings show up; it can help with anxiety, depression, and issues around meaning and motivation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaches concrete skills to change them, which is useful for anxiety, stress, and eating-related concerns. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people understand and change patterns in close relationships by naming emotions and practicing new ways of connecting.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences and then try methods that fit. This is a collaborative process and methods can be adjusted as progress is made.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people read facial expressions and use screen-shared worksheets. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging allow short check-ins, ongoing skill practice, or support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and keep momentum between meetings.