Meet Nicole Davis | LPC Associate, Supervised by: Latrice McNeal, MA, LPC-S

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks is something I’ve avoided most of my life. I’ve historically approached risks slowly and strategically. My career began in the finance/securities industry and I knew within the first 5 years of my career, that what I was doing was not for me and I wanted OUT. Instead of taking a leap and leaving then, I stayed another 10 years doing something I hated because I was able to find success. I couldn’t see a way out to doing something new.

I’ve been a long-time client of counseling, off and on, since my college days. While in college, I wanted to become a counselor myself or do something that was helping others. I’ve always been motivated by a desire to help others. So making this detour into the corporate world was never fulfilling for me.

Because of my internal struggles of not doing something I was passionate about, I found myself back in therapy, in search of resolve. It wasn’t until my therapist gave me a blueprint for my dreams, that I made the choice to give myself permission to take the leap and bet on myself. I immediately enrolled myself in a graduate program.

Thank God for online learning! I was able to go to school while working and once COVID hit, I was fortunate enough to complete my program 100% online. Meanwhile, at work, stress had begun to overwhelm me to the point of having panic attacks in my office, in front of my boss, and others. The situation had become crippling and I knew my days in corporate would finally come to a foreseeable end.

Taking this risk to leave my financially stable but stressful corporate job meant that I’d be leaving a 6-figure income to pursue my ultimate dream of working with people along their own journey to living a more fulfilling life. THIS risk was so worth it!

I’ve since learned that taking risks is an important part of how I live my life moving forward. Playing it safe means that I run the risk of settling. Taking risks gives me the chance to stretch myself into doing things that I want to do. A life fulfilled for me means that I am able to help others, so taking risks comes with the territory for me now!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
To sum it up, I help people navigate through some of the toughest moments of their lives.

This looks different for everyone, whether it’s feeling stuck and having no direction in your life, you’ve been living on “auto-pilot,” and you’re ready for something new, or you know you’re unhappy, and you don’t know exactly how to get back to your happy place. I walk with you and help you sort it out.

My goal is to create a safe environment, free from judgment so that people can be their authentic selves.

What sets me apart from other therapists, is my ability to relate to many different life circumstances from my own lived experiences. I believe we all have more in common than we’re often willing to accept. Maya Angelou once said, “I am a human being; nothing human can be alien to me.” This single phrase says it all for me!

For me, it’s important to enter into a space that feels safe to be yourself and know that someone else can understand your world without judgment or criticism. I come from a family of educators so I also think it’s important for people to know more about the science behind our emotions to normalize what they may be going through. I enjoy providing information that helps put the puzzle pieces together.

I work with an array of clients with varying issues but specialize in women’s issues, anxiety, depression and life transitions.  I’m also certified in working with people who’ve experienced trauma.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Cretia’s on W. Davis in Oak Cliff for dinner or date night. They have homestyle cooking and the setup is one of a kind! It’s like going to Grandma’s house with a nice bar and sweets!

I wish I had more fun things to offer – I’m getting OLD and don’t get out much!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, my mother Cynthia Watson, always told me that I could do anything that I put my mind to. She was my biggest cheerleader and source of genuine encouragement.

Aisha Holman, LPC-S, founder of Holman Family Services, for being steady support and my mentor.

Marci Orr, MS, LPC-S, Clinical Director at Lifeologie Oak Cliff, for seeing things in me that I don’t always see in myself, for being a champion of my ideas, and for encouraging me to push myself.

My honeydew, my husband Mac, supported me even when he couldn’t always see my vision and for taking the lead in taking care of our son while I was getting my degree. He also saw things in me and continues to, that I don’t always see in myself. He pushes me outside of my comfort zone.

A dear friend of mine, Chantelle Brown. She is someone who I feel really saw me when others didn’t. She knew that I wanted to be a counselor and never forgot it.

Website: https://wefixbrains.com/counselor/nicole-davis?hsLang=en

Instagram: https://instagram.com/therapywnikki?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TherapyWNikki?t=YF-kDFV4_IzheSzoTfLFxw&s=09

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078225788601

Image Credits
Ginna Klein, Masters Level Intern @ Lifeologie Oak Cliff