How does Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) work?

I bring over 15 years of dedicated experience in the mental health field to my role at Restorative Mindset & Behavior Institute PLLC. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), I offer specialized psychiatric mental health evaluations, diagnoses, and treatment planning to support my clients’ mental health journeys. My passion lies in empowering individuals to improve their mindset, behavior, and overall well-being through personalized care. I am currently serving clients in North Carolina and will soon be accepting major insurance providers to make these services more accessible and affordable. With my commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment, I focus on inspiring growth and resilience in my clients as they navigate their mental and emotional health challenges.

Tara Thompson is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois, providing telehealth counseling services since December 2021. She works with adults, couples, families, and children, drawing on nearly two decades of experience supporting clients across the lifespan—from children to older adults.

I was born and raised locally in Washington state and currently based in Seattle, WA. I am white, cisgender (she/her), poly, and queer identifying. I graduated with my Masters in Clinical Mental health counseling from Walden University in 2021 and have been practicing ever since. I value interconnectedness, communication, and my relationships with those I love most. I believe in my authenticity being a tool to help others feel safe in theirs, and in forging my own life path based on my dreams. I have always wanted to use my strengths of compassion and critical thinking to make a difference in the world and found this field as a path to help me do just that. Diversity and social justice have been an important part of my ethos since the start of my career - this includes serving and advocating for LGBTQ+, BIPOC populations, and having focuses on the social model of disability and harm reduction techniques in my work. When I'm not in my therapist role I love catching local shows and music, going on adventures near and far, being in any type of nature, playing with watercolors and other arts and crafts, cooking a new recipe, and snuggling my cat Thomas. Most of all, I love spending time with loved ones and engaging in community.

I support individuals, adolescents, and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, relationship challenges, and life’s many transitions. I also have a special interest in working with women through postpartum anxiety and depression, as well as the emotional and identity changes that can accompany perimenopause and menopause. Many people seek therapy because, although they may appear to have everything together on the outside, they are carrying stress, pain, or emotions that feel difficult to navigate alone. Therapy can provide a space to better understand yourself, explore the experiences that have shaped you, and create meaningful change through curiosity, compassion, and connection. My approach is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and grounded in empathy. I believe therapy is most effective when you feel truly seen, understood, and supported. I draw from attachment-based and psychodynamic perspectives while integrating evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), EMDR (for Trauma-Focued), somatic therapy, mindfulness, and systems perspectives to support your unique needs. Together, we will explore the experiences, relationships, and patterns that influence how you see yourself, respond to challenges, and connect with others. This work can help you develop greater self-awareness, strengthen emotional resilience, and create healthier, more fulfilling relationships with yourself and those around you. When working with couples, I incorporate Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, and attachment-based approaches to help partners strengthen their connection, improve communication, navigate conflict, and rebuild trust and intimacy. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you feel comfortable showing up as your authentic self. Whether you are navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck, we will work together at a pace that feels right for you to better understand yourself, move through challenges, and create a life that feels more connected and fulfilling. Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy spending time with family, being outdoors, traveling, staying active, and making time for rest and reflection. These moments help me stay grounded and bring the same presence, warmth, and authenticity into my work with clients.

I’m a warm, direct, and practical therapist with more than 20 years of experience helping people navigate anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, and the patterns that can leave them feeling stuck. I understand that you may look like you have everything together on the outside while struggling with overthinking, self-doubt, old hurts, or recurring situations on the inside. Therapy with me is focused on creating meaningful, lasting change—not just gaining insight. Together, we’ll identify what’s keeping you stuck, develop practical strategies, and work toward responding to life with greater confidence and intention. My goal is to help you make changes that feel real both inside and outside the therapy room.

I am a passionate therapist that loves working with people to live the life they deserve.

I specialize in working with men, women, adolescents, and couples, to help navigate their relationships, build resilience, process trauma, and develop emotional regulation skills. I support my clients in exploring their values and life purpose, guiding them through existential questions and personal growth. While working with me, you can expect to find a space where you are truly seen, deeply heard, and wholeheartedly validated. This will be your time to explore, heal, and grow. I am here to help facilitate you on this journey and to serve as a companion and guide in moving you forward. In my sessions I utilize various methods for treatment, including CBT, Mindfulness-Based Therapy and EMDR trauma treatment, as well as tools from The Gottman Method and EFT for couples therapy. These modalities give me the ability to assist my clients with a wide variety of situations and concerns, as we know there is no one size fits all for treatment. AMFT#153575.

My ideal clients are adults 18+ looking for supportive and compassionate help managing symptoms of GAD, social anxiety, life/work/academic stress, relationships, panic disorder, trauma and PTSD. I am EMDR trained and would love to see clients specifically seeking this therapeutic modality, as well as those interested in CBT and ACT. I empower clients to live beautiful and fulfilling lives in full alignment with their most authentic selves. I am also EMDR certified.

I’m a licensed therapist with more than 20 years of experience helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief, trauma, and major life transitions. My style is direct, practical, and collaborative. I won’t just sit back and listen while you circle the same issue week after week. We’ll work together to understand the patterns that are getting in the way, challenge what is no longer serving you, and build practical ways to respond differently. My goal is to help you feel more confident in yourself, more secure in your relationships, and more in control of your life.

Troy Nickell is President of PsyNamic and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Private Practice since 2014. He works with individuals and couples mindfully reach their goals and overcome any obstacles that may be in their way. In his therapy sessions in Solana Beach, CA, Troy uses an Integrative approach with an emphasis in Mindfulness-Based, Cognitive-Behavioral, EMDR, and Psychodynamic techniques. He currently works with a broad spectrum of clients in his private practice. Among his areas of expertise are the treatment of anxieties (including trauma), stress reduction, addictions, self empowerment and self actualization, relationship and employment struggles, grief and loss, as well as spiritual dilemmas. To schedule a counseling or therapy session with him, contact us today! Outside of his Therapy Practice, Troy utilizes mindfulness techniques to help businesses and other large groups overcome stress and operate more efficiently. Troy provides these services in a variety of settings, including working with small, medium, and large size businesses to provide employees the tools to function at a higher level, as well as working with community organizations and private coaching for individuals to overcome stress. History: Troy has worked in a variety of settings, which included the treatment of the Severe Mentally Ill, Military Veterans, substance abuse and addicts, the chronically homeless, as well as adolescents with emotional distress. Growing up in the Los Angeles area he later relocated to North County San Diego in 2008. Establishing a home here, he now enjoys the outdoors, including surfing, beach volleyball, and much more that this great city has to offer. Troy received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his Master’s of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology. License: Marriage and Family Therapist, License No. 82993 (Previous) Executive Member of the Board of Directors San Diego North County chapter of CAMFT Member of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist (CAMFT) Extensively Trained in EMDR and Mindfulness-Based Techniques