Therapy with Nicole
“We don't get wounded alone and we don't heal alone.” - Carl Jung
Your Path to Emotional Wellness Begins Here
Nicole specializes in working with Persian and first-generation individuals who feel caught between their cultural upbringing and their own identity.
You may feel guilt for wanting something different, struggle to set boundaries with your family, or feel like you’re living a life that doesn’t fully belong to you.
You may feel like you’re living between two worlds—deeply connected to your family and culture, yet quietly questioning the expectations placed on you. On the outside, you show up as responsible, capable, and put together. But internally, you might feel overwhelmed, conflicted, or disconnected from your own voice. You may find yourself asking, “What do I actually want?” while carrying guilt for even thinking about choosing a different path. It can feel like no matter what you do, you’re either letting yourself down or disappointing the people you love.
I work with Persian and first-generation individuals who feel this internal pull every day. You may struggle to set boundaries without guilt, feel responsible for your family’s emotions, or notice patterns of people-pleasing and self-sacrifice that are hard to break. Together, we create space to understand where these patterns come from, reconnect you with your sense of self, and help you build a life that feels aligned—without losing the parts of your identity and culture that matter most to you.
If this is you, I completely understand. Contact me at nikigabbaymft@gmail.com.
Navigating Mental wellness
The connection we form in therapy transcends the ordinary. I'm not merely your therapist; I'm walking alongside with you on your journey, delving deep into the profound and personal layers of your experiences. The goal isn't to foster dependency on therapy; instead, my aspiration is that, as you undergo growth and transformation, you'll re-discover and carry the inherent strength and courage that was always within you. I'm here to assist you in reaching that realization. Think of me not as someone you'll always need, but as someone whose presence you'll feel, empowering you long after our paths formally cross.
“What you seek is seeking you” -RUMI
My Treatment Approaches
Somatic practitioner
As a trauma therapist with training in Somatic Experiencing® (Modules I & II) and Polyvagal-Informed Trauma Therapy, Nicole helps clients understand how stress, trauma, and attachment wounds are held in both the mind and body. Drawing from the work of Somatic Experiencing® founder Peter Levine and Polyvagal Theory developed by Stephen Porges, she incorporates body-based interventions to support nervous system regulation, emotional healing, and lasting change. This approach can be particularly helpful for anxiety, relationship challenges, people-pleasing, emotional overwhelm, and feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you.
Psychodynamic theory
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on understanding how past experiences, early relationships, and unconscious patterns influence present-day thoughts, emotions, and relationships. Rather than only addressing symptoms, this approach helps uncover the deeper roots of recurring struggles, allowing for greater self-awareness and lasting change.
Nicole's work is informed by psychodynamic principles and her experience training under psychoanalyst Dr. Martha Koo, who served as her clinical supervisor. Through a collaborative and insight-oriented process, Nicole helps clients explore longstanding patterns, relationship dynamics, attachment wounds, and the underlying beliefs that may be keeping them stuck.
Attachment-based therapy
Attachment-based therapy explores how your earliest relationships shape the way you connect with yourself and others. The messages we receive in childhood often influence how we experience intimacy, trust, boundaries, conflict, and emotional vulnerability in adulthood. When attachment wounds go unaddressed, they can show up as anxiety in relationships, fear of abandonment, difficulty trusting others, people-pleasing, emotional withdrawal, or repeating unhealthy relationship patterns.
Through a warm, collaborative, and insight-oriented approach, Nicole helps clients better understand their attachment style and the relational patterns that may be keeping them stuck. Together, you will work toward building greater self-awareness, emotional security, healthier boundaries, and more fulfilling connections with others and yourself.
Nicole’s STORY
My life journey has been profoundly shaped by my cultural perspectives as a first-generation American, born to parents who immigrated from Iran after the revolution. Navigating intergenerational trauma and the challenges of being a troubled teen, I've gained a deep understanding of the delicate balance between cultural sensitivity and individual struggles, especially during the integration into American culture.
I specialize in helping individuals grappling with low self-esteem, navigating issues with their relationship to themselves and others. I understand that our connections with those around us shape our worldview, and through our therapeutic journey, we can foster a positive transformation in how we perceive ourselves and our relationships.
My unique background positions me to empathize with the nuanced experiences of culturally sensitive families. Acknowledging the profound impact of addiction and mental health issues on family dynamics, my commitment to offering compassionate support is deeply personal. I channel this dedication, fueled by the memory of a loved one lost to overdose due to addiction, and informed by my own journey as a recovered addict. It is this personal commitment that forms the heart of my practice, inviting those seeking understanding and empathy to embark on a journey of healing.