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Welcome!

Mental well-being is a top priority because it is the key that opens the door to a happy, healthy, and stable life. Life can be full of unpredictable circumstances and events that leave us feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed, anxious, or depressed. Experiencing one, or all, of these starts to negatively impact critical areas such as sleep, work, self-motivation, personal relationships, or lead us to start engage in unhealthy outlets. It also makes us feel all alone and emotionally trapped. Reaching out for help can initially feel uneasy and it is a difficult task, but be proud of yourself that you are taking that first step! I have over 20 years of clinical experience working with clients aged 13 to 75 with a main focus on working for you, your needs, and how to achieve your goals to live a happy, healthy, and stable life. Specialty areas include anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders, Acute and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, relationships, couples/marital counseling, sexual issues, employees of law enforcement agencies, and forensic based testing.

Nicole Layer is a compassionate Mental Health Counselor licensed in New York. She is a clinician who brings warmth, empathy, and deep dedication to her clinical work, creating a supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and genuinely cared for. Nicole holds a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Hofstra University and remains committed to ongoing professional growth to best serve the evolving needs of her clients. Rooted in a person first and trauma informed philosophy, Nicole works with individuals navigating a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, interpersonal difficulties, personality disorders, and LGBTQIA+ concerns. She specializes in working with clients across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, providing affirming care that honors the complexity of identity, fosters self-acceptance, and supports individuals in navigating both internal and external challenges. Nicole is also trained in EMDR and has a particular focus on trauma treatment, drawing on this advanced training to help clients process complex experiences and reconnect with a sense of safety, self trust, and inner stability. Her therapeutic style is characterized by empathy, psychoeducation, and transparency, offering clients both support and practical tools to move forward with confidence and clarity. Clinically, Nicole integrates a range of evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions. She tailors her approach to each client, prioritizing their individuality and unique lived experience over diagnostic labels. Her goal is to cultivate a therapeutic environment where growth, healing, and resilience can unfold naturally as well as organically.

My clients see me as warm, relatable, and easygoing. I completed my Master's in Mental Health Counseling at SUNY New Paltz in 2016 and have been working directly with clients of all backgrounds ever since.

Life comes with never ending joys and challenges. As humans we are in need of diverse ways in which we can; grow, cope, express, and understand ourselves and the world around us. The mind - body connection is a vitally important one that we must continue to nourish and develop throughout our lifetime. I believe in a client centered approach allowing you, to set the tone of our sessions. During sessions we will explore Art Therapy, talk therapy techniques, and mindfulness skills in order to delve deeper into the connection you have with yourself, others, and the world.

I take a holistic perspective with my clients to address the health of body, mind, and spirit. I believe that a solid therapeutic relationship between client and therapist is a crucial part of the healing process, and that techniques and therapy approaches must “fit” the client in order to be effective—there is no “one size fits all” therapy.

Many of us undergo difficult, painful, and traumatic events in our lives – things that are not only painful while we experience them, but that have a way of sticking to us long after the fact. The impact of these events can make us lose touch with who we really are. This often manifests in feeling stuck in unwanted behaviors, feelings, and negative beliefs about ourselves. These things can be very hard to manage. I specialize in understanding these issues and how they affect us.

**I am a Board Certified-Telemental Health Provider who is prepared to provide tele-therapy services**. I have dedicated my over 25-year career to helping those I work with achieve their optimal mental health. I employ an eclectic approach informed by my extensive training in multiple approaches, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (especially Rational Emotive Therapy (REBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy. My focus is individual therapy for those that are age 12 and up, but enjoy working with couples as well.

My approach is to form a partnership that is focused on goals that are collaboratively developed and mutually agreed upon. I am committed to providing a person-centered experience that fully realizes the skills and talents of the person I am working with as well as my own. I understand that rapport is the key to a successful helping relationship. Therefore, I offer a free 30 minute consultation prior to scheduling your first appointment. This can be done by phone, Skype, or in person. Just call to set one up! I look forward to hearing from you!

I’m warm, direct, and deeply empathetic, with a style that balances compassion and honesty.

My therapeutic approach is collaborative in nature, working with patients through their journey.I strive to facilitate optimal social-emotional-behavioral health and functioning for each person and encourage growth every step of the way. I believe that emotional growth and change is possible and can be achieved.

As an Asian immigrant from Taiwan, I understand firsthand the pressures of balancing cultural expectations with life in the U.S.—like feeling torn between family obligations and personal goals, navigating identity in different cultural spaces, or struggling to express emotions that may not feel “acceptable” in your community. These experiences inform my work with clients who feel stuck, anxious, or disconnected, especially when patterns from the past show up in relationships, work, or life transitions. With years of experience in private practice and community clinics in NYC, I create a compassionate, culturally attuned space for young adults, professionals, and anyone seeking to better understand themselves, explore their emotions, and build clarity, confidence, and resilience.