Ready to Begin?
If you’re ready to stop understanding your patterns from a distance and start doing something about them, I can’t wait to connect!
Dr. Nina WElls, LCSW
get in, loser. we’re going to therapy.
I gave myself the ongoing gift of therapy for my birthday almost six years ago. I tried for a long time to figure things out by myself, thinking that if I read the right book, implemented the right workout routine, committed to the right thought processes, I could avoid an extra appointment on my calendar and putting my brain in the hands of a stranger. Even as a therapist myself, I felt the stubborn urge to “power through” independently.
Turns out that all the inspiring quotes on Pinterest were right: pushing through by yourself doesn’t get you any extra bravery or badass points. It just makes you more feel more tired, angry, and alone. I believe now more than ever that therapy is a tool for self-investment, a ritual for connectedness, and a form of resistance. I genuinely feel so honored and thankful to do this meaningful, transformative, healing work.
i work best with
I see the parts of you that feel stuck in proving yourself, over-functioning, chasing perfection, and looping the same unhelpful thoughts over and over again. I also see the parts of you that are mad as hell that the world tells us we have to be superhuman to succeed or matter, then call us control freaks and bossy you-know-whats when we do it well. If you relate to these…
People-pleasing and difficulty establishing boundaries,
Perfectionism and chronic self-criticism,
Losing yourself or feeling unfulfilled in relationships,
Difficulty identifying your own needs and desires,
Appearing successful or put together, but feeling disconnected from yourself,
Questioning identities, expectations, or versions of yourself you've outgrown,
Feeling disconnected from yourself because you’re taking care of everyone else,
we might be a great fit.
How I Work
My approach is deeply relational, trauma-informed, and empowering. I prioritize building trust and co-creating a dynamic where honesty, curiosity and humor act as a foundation for us to find blind spots, explore uncomfortable truths, and challenge unhelpful or untrue perspectives. I lead with compassion and understanding, but I don’t see my role as a “yes man”; if you’re looking for someone to blindly reassure and validate your every thought, I’m not your gal. If you’re looking for a partner who genuinely believes you are capable of more and is invested in helping you get yourself there, give me a call!
queer as a verb
As a queer therapist, I tend to work with many clients within the LGBTQ+ community. I know how important it is for queer folks to work with providers who are not just “friendly” or “tolerant,” but understand the complexities that come with living as a queer person in a society that often punishes any challenge to the status quo. I view queerness as something that can belong, as a verb, to anyone who is resistant to accepting things they don’t agree with just because that’s how it’s always been. You don’t have to be queer in identity to feel the freedom that comes with challenging social norms that keep you small, stuck, or scared. My practice is heavily informed by this ethos; queer-ing is about noticing that something can work for someone else and still not be right for you. As a social worker, my brain is weaving a background of how all your experiences, identities, beliefs, and values intersect to inform the way you see the world and yourself. This often serves as the foundation for directing compassion toward yourself, which is essential to moving forward in power. If all this sounds totally out of reach to you, it’s a good sign you could use more openness, freedom, and queer-ing in your life.