Nicole Kahn, M.A., Ed.M., is a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist , a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner®, and a Trauma Touch Therapist with over twenty years of experience treating adolescents and adults, individually, as couples, and in families. She provides professional therapy services throughout San Diego County. Nicole uses an eclectic approach in her therapy practice, maintaining a person-focused rather than symptom-focused approach.
Nicole received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from New York University and then went on to earn a Master of Arts and a Master of Education in Psychological Counseling from Columbia University. She has completed coursework in the Ph.D. Expressive Arts Therapy Program at San Diego University of Integrative Studies and is a certified Psychedelic Assisted Therapist, through CIIS. Nicole is committed to her own growth and continually participates in educational opportunities regarding effective treatment practices for her clients. In addition to providing therapy, Nicole has years of experience teaching workshops, creating curriculum, and leading lectures in the field of mental health and holistic wellness. Nicole has been a featured contributor for the San Diego Union Tribune, Vision Magazine, Current Health Magazine and Vital Force Radio. Currently, Nicole is an active member of the CA Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Nicole has received extensive training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing®, Somatic Experiencing® Touch Therapy, psychedelic-assisted therapy, Internal Family Systems, bioenergetics, expressive arts therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavior-modification, and Imago Couples therapy. She continues to develop and maintain her own personal and spiritual practices that are rooted in Eastern methodologies, ancient wisdom, energetics and earth-based rituals. Nicole’s personal practices deeply inform the way she holds space for her clients, and she often draws from her own personal meditation and yoga practice to support clients in their growth and healing. Nicole uses a combination of traditional talk therapy, body-oriented psychotherapy and healing touch – all viewed through a spiritual lens – in her work with clients. This combination often yields the most comprehensive level of healing and lasting change.
Nicole’s treatment objectives are first to alleviate current symptoms that prevent one from living a balanced, fulfilled, and joyous life, and then to address underlying issues. In this safe, therapeutic environment, she offers tangible methods to help reduce current symptoms, while helping to uncover the root cause of emotional ailments. As greater awareness is achieved, Nicole supports clients to integrate these new insights into everyday life. Thus, old, destructive patterns are eliminated and new, effective, and healthy ways of living emerge. Ultimately, the goal of therapy is to achieve more fulfilling and productive personal, marital, familial, and social relationships.
Achieving balance–emotionally, spiritually, and physically–is the key to a successful and satisfying life. Nicole incorporates her knowledge of psychology, yoga, Eastern philosophies, meditation, the creative arts, and alternative medicine to help clients gain total health and wellness. For Nicole, wellness is about integrating all parts of self and thus connecting to the world around us.
Nicole provides counseling and therapy for individuals, adults, teens, couples and families. She treats issues including depression, anxiety, grief, loss, healing trauma, addiction recovery, eliminating overeating, weight management, stress management, life transitions, personal growth, self-esteem, relationships, premarital counseling, improving communication and chronic pain. Nicole serves the greater San Diego area including La Jolla, University City, Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, Mira Mesa, UTC, Sorrento Valley, Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and Point Loma