
Nick Tomasello (he/him)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist # 141543
Training Coordinator
SERVICES I OFFER
In-office and virtual sessions for:
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Individual therapy (teens, young adults)
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Parent support therapy
SPECIALTIES AND FOCUS AREAS
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Depression
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Identity Exploration
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LGB+ and TGNB specific issues, including but not limited to: coming out, transitioning, relationships (with family, friends, partners), backlash, discrimination, gender and sexuality exploration
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Life transitions
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Social / communication skills
MY APPROACH
I practice therapy primarily from a client-centered perspective, meaning that I aim to meet you where you are at, collaborate to identify relevant and meaningful goals for our work together, and pour authenticity and genuineness into our relationship, as I believe this is where much of the healing work takes place. Additionally, I interweave cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and the gender affirmative clinical model into my work. I like to describe my therapeutic style as eclectic; I pull from a variety of theories, models, and practices to tailor a unique and personalized therapy experience that is best for you, and if something doesn't feel right, we can work together to find what does. I also enjoy integrating mindfulness into my therapy, with everything from meditations to practicing grounding, awareness, and presence.
I have a passion and specialty in working with and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically trans, non-binary, and gender expansive youth in navigating coming out, their transition process, exploring the inherent shifts in their relationships, and processing the backlash, discrimination, and hate that is lamentably a component to this experience for so many people.
ABOUT ME
I believe an important aspect of who I am is my identity, part of which includes being a straight, white, cisgender male. These are dominant group memberships which have played a challenging historical role in our society, and I believe strongly that bringing this into the therapy room is crucial to acknowledge. In doing so, this helps me approach my therapy in a culturally humble way, as well as creates opportunities for corrective emotional and relational experiences by having different and distinct interactions that are restorative and healing.
Aside from therapy, I have copious other passions, including playing video and board games, pool, cats, manatees, and the occasional, slightly strenuous hike. I highly value time spent with my close friends enjoying each other's company, mutually shared interests, as well as learning and growing together. I am a huge foodie and eating delectable food is one of the main ways that I practice self-care.
THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES I AM TRAINED TO USE
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Gender affirmative clinical model
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Internal family systems therapy
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Mindfulness
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Motivational interviewing
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Solution-focused therapy
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Client-centered therapy
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (trauma-informed)
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Crisis Intervention
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Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
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Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in the LGBT community from Santa Clara University
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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Sonoma State University (2016)
WORK EXPERIENCE
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Therapist and Training Coordinator at Teen Therapy Center
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Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Family and Children Services, a division of Caminar
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Taught and tutored children and teenagers with various learning challenges
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Sexual assault crisis line counselor and survivor advocate with Verity
OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN I WORK WITH
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Relationship problems
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School avoidance
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Self-esteem
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Self-harm and suicidal ideation
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Stress and stress management
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Anxiety (general, social)
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Attention problems / ADHD
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Body image
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Loneliness and shyness
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Perfectionism
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Procrastination and motivation