Nicole Gruszewski, MS, LPCC-S
My name is Nicole Gruszewski and I am an LPCC-S in the State of Ohio. I received my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Shippensburg University after receiving my undergraduate degree in Adventure Education from Messiah University. However, my education is far from over. I am constantly learning and desire to grow as a therapist and a person each day.
In my role as a counselor, I walk alongside my clients in order to provide a safe, caring space to work toward identified goals and improve overall quality of life. I emphasize values identification and help my clients live more fully in line with what is important to them. I really enjoy assisting my clients in finding their way out of stuck places or old wounds in order to experience peace. I consider it a privilege to journey with people, exploring their story and discovering their strengths, while collaborating as a team. My passion in working with clients is to combine what we know is helpful in therapy, and what the client knows about themselves, to create an empowering and supportive environment for change. I also employ hands-on experiences in sessions, facilitating mindfulness exercises, doing activities, and practicing skills together. My goal is to guide and empower my clients to build their skills so they are equipped and confident to face whatever comes in life.
My approach to counseling includes strategies from several evidence-based practice modalities, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mindfulness training, motivational interviewing, play therapy, and person-centered therapy. Using these strategies, I help people challenge and change negative or unhelpful thoughts, practice mindfulness, learn emotional regulation, improve communication and assertiveness/boundary setting skills, and build coping skills. While I enjoy working with clients of all backgrounds, I am well versed in working with children, teens, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, transitions in life stages, low confidence, trauma, grief and loss, maternal depression/anxiety, and those wanting to improve boundary setting skills.
In my free time, I enjoy going on hikes with my family, knitting, watching my favorite shows while working on craft projects, reading and snuggling with my cat.