Nicole Forester , LPC, LPCC

Nicole Forester greets prospective clients with a calm, straightforward approach and a focus on listening. She acknowledges the effort it takes to seek support and offers a nonjudgmental space where people can speak openly and begin to find their own voice. Nicole encourages direct, honest communication as a starting point for therapeutic work and aims to help clients articulate what matters most to them.

She holds licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado (LPC) and as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California (LPCC), and she is a Nationally Board-Certified Music Therapist. Nicole earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy from Utah State University in 2002 and completed an internship at Bethany Children’s Home in Pennsylvania. She later completed a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix in 2007.

Nicole brings experience from a variety of settings, including university neuropsychiatric services, inpatient units, addiction recovery programs, in-home crisis teams, outpatient and intensive-outpatient groups, hospice work with children and teens, and a private practice she established in San Francisco from 2012 to 2019. Her clinical interests include stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, LGBT and relationship issues, eating and sleeping concerns, parenting, and caregiver stress among other areas.

She invites prospective clients to interview therapists to find a good fit and is available to discuss what kind of support someone is seeking. Nicole values the courage it takes to ask for help and aims to respond to questions about the therapeutic process with clarity and compassion.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Nicole integrates several evidence-informed approaches to meet individual needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people accept difficult thoughts or feelings while clarifying personal values and taking committed action toward a meaningful life - it is often used for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works by identifying and gently challenging unhelpful thoughts and habits, and developing practical strategies to manage symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or patterns that contribute to addiction. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and collaboration, giving clients space to explore their experience and build self-directed change.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Nicole works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and the challenges they bring, and she adjusts the plan as the work evolves.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexibility for people with busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, or limited local options. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access support from home, and fit therapy into everyday life while working with licensed professionals and therapists who tailor approaches to each individual.