- Client-centered approach
- Practical coping skills
- Relationship focus
About Nicole
Nicole Kough is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 15 years in the field. She practices in Illinois and focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and life transitions. Her approach is warm and down-to-earth, and she aims to make therapy a place where people feel heard and understood.
Nicole keeps sessions supportive and nonjudgmental. She listens closely and adapts the work to each person's needs. That can mean talking through unhelpful thought patterns, naming what matters most, or trying practical steps to reduce daily stress.
Her background includes training in Lindenwood University and many years of clinical practice across common concerns such as grief, family conflict, intimacy issues, and trauma and abuse. Over time she has worked with a wide range of people facing panic attacks, social anxiety, low self-esteem, and career-related stress.
Nicole uses a blend of approaches, including client-centered methods that prioritize the person's experience, cognitive behavioral techniques to address thinking and behavior, and solution-focused tools to set short-term goals. Narrative ideas also appear when reframing life stories helps people move forward.
She aims to meet practical needs as well as emotional ones, helping people find clearer communication, manage anger and jealousy, and cope with divorce or blended family challenges. The focus is on simple, practical steps a person can try between sessions.
How her approaches work for online therapy
Nicole often combines client-centered work with cognitive behavioral techniques. Client-centered Therapy focuses on listening, acceptance, and following what matters to the person. It helps when someone needs space to talk and feel understood before making changes.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts and behaviors interact. It helps people notice unhelpful thinking, test different actions, and practice new ways of coping for anxiety, panic, or low mood. Solution-Focused Therapy is brief and goal-oriented, useful when someone wants small, practical steps to improve daily functioning.
Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has helped or not helped in the past. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.
Session formats were not described in the biography, so confirm available options before booking. Many people find online sessions make it easier to fit care into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins during a work break, or reduce travel time. The focus is on finding a way of working that fits the person's life and helps them practice new skills between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does this therapist help with?
Nicole works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy-related issues. She also helps with career stress, anger, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is supportive and nonjudgmental, with active listening and compassion. Sessions are adapted to fit each person's needs.
How much experience does she have?
She has 15 years of experience in the field, working with a range of concerns including panic attacks, social anxiety, and family problems.
What credential does she hold and where is she located?
She is an IL LCPC, which stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois. She practices in Illinois.
Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
Session formats were not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking so you know what to expect.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.