Nikki Wendel
Associate Therapist
APCC #18220
Welcome! I’m glad you’re here. Taking the step to seek support isn’t always easy, and I strive to create a space where you feel understood, supported, and comfortable from the very beginning. I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe enough to show up authentically and without fear of judgment. My goal is to create a collaborative relationship where we can explore challenges together while also recognizing your strengths, resilience, and capacity for growth.
I hold a Master’s in Educational Counseling and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which allows me to approach clients through both clinical and educational lenses. This background helps me understand not only emotional and mental health concerns, but also how learning, development, family systems, life transitions, and environmental stressors can impact overall wellbeing. I aim to support clients in practical, meaningful ways that extend beyond insight alone into everyday life.
My professional experience spans diverse populations and levels of care. I began my career as an Education Director at an adolescent IOP and residential treatment center in Los Angeles, where I worked closely with teens navigating complex mental health concerns, substance use, emotional dysregulation, school challenges, and family stress. Working within a multidisciplinary treatment team strengthened my belief in compassionate, collaborative, whole-person care and the importance of meeting clients where they are rather than where they “should” be.
I have continued expanding my work with adolescents and adults experiencing a wide range of concerns, including eating disorders, executive functioning difficulties, anxiety, depression, psychosis, identity development, life transitions, prenatal and postpartum mental health, and relationship challenges. I especially value supporting clients who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected from themselves, or uncertain about how to move forward.
My therapeutic style is person-centered, warm, and strengths-based. I integrate evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), while tailoring treatment to each individual’s unique needs, personality, and goals. I believe healing is not one-size-fits-all, and I strive to help clients build insight, emotional awareness, coping skills, self-compassion, and confidence in navigating life’s challenges.
I offer fully remote therapy services to clients anywhere in California and look forward to supporting individuals as they work toward greater balance, connection, and emotional wellbeing.
Nikki works with clients via Telehealth anywhere in CA.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned through working with clients is…
the importance of meeting individuals where they are. Each person experiences, processes, and heals in their own unique way, and honoring that individuality is central to effective therapeutic work. I have also witnessed the incredible resilience people carry, often navigating and surviving circumstances that once felt unimaginable. Approaching my work from a place of compassion, empathy, and a deep belief in human resilience continues to shape the way I support and connect with clients today.
My self-care activities I do to unwind after a challenging day are…
My go-to forms of self-care include working out, going for walks with my dog, husband, and baby, and unwinding with a good psychological thriller either via book or show. Each of these outlets help me reset!
Something about my life journey that influences my approach to therapy is…
My passion for mental health and advocacy began through my own experience navigating mental health challenges following a serious sports injury in college. The injury significantly impacted my identity, self-image, and motivation, and at the time, I found there were very limited resources available for support within the school setting. This experience also sparked my curiosity about the profound emotional impact that physical injuries can have on overall well-being. Through this journey, I developed a deep passion for supporting individuals struggling with motivation, body image, depression, anxiety, and trauma — areas that continue to be central to my clinical work today.
Meet Briggs!
Before I was a mom to a human baby, Briggs was my first (fur)baby! He is energetic, adventurous, loving and playful ! He loves the beach, hiking and of course, lots of rubs and treats! Briggs may hop on to say hi on our telehealth sessions!