Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Flynn.
Hi Nicole, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a child psychologist. In my teens and early twenties, it was forensic psychology that fascinated me—anything that got underneath behavior, especially the parts people miss or misunderstand.
Things didn’t unfold exactly how I imagined. I worked for several years as a makeup artist in Hollywood—a creative path that ended up leading me back to the mental health field in an unexpected way. Eventually, the pull toward psychology returned with more clarity. I went back to school, became a licensed clinical social worker, and worked in community mental health and advocacy, supporting people with complex trauma and long-standing survival strategies.
Things really started to click when I became certified in EMDR and began weaving in somatic therapy and parts work. I found myself most drawn to the kinds of cases where insight alone wasn’t enough—where healing needed to include the body, the nervous system, and a different kind of internal relationship.
Like many therapists, this work is personal for me too. My own childhood trauma left me on guard, overly responsible, deeply attuned to others but disconnected from myself. That history gives me a felt sense for the patterns my clients carry—and a deep belief in what’s possible.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. I went back to school in my late twenties while continuing to work, and there were years when I wasn’t sure if this path was sustainable. Building a career in mental health—especially one rooted in depth work—takes time, training, and a lot of emotional labor.
Even after becoming a therapist, I burned out early. I was overgiving and said yes to everything, believing that’s what commitment looked like. I had to learn that being effective doesn’t mean being self-sacrificing. That was a big shift.
Starting a private practice brought its own learning curve—navigating logistics, building referrals, and holding financial boundaries. But maybe the hardest part was trusting that there was space for the kind of therapy I wanted to offer: slower, relational, nervous system-based work. It doesn’t always fit into a “fix it fast” culture, but it’s what I believe in. And I’m proud I didn’t compromise on that.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in complex and developmental trauma. I work with adults who are high-functioning and emotionally attuned, but often feel stuck in patterns they can’t simply think or talk their way out of—even after years of therapy.
My approach integrates EMDR, somatic therapy, and parts work. I focus on the nervous system, not just the narrative—helping people understand how their bodies have been wired for protection, how old survival strategies still show up, and how to create a different internal experience: one that feels more grounded, less reactive, and more connected to choice.
What sets my work apart is presence. I’m not a blank slate. I bring warmth, attunement, and clinical depth. I move slowly and relationally, honoring the pace trauma healing really requires. I’m not interested in quick fixes—I’m here to help people feel more like themselves.
I also co-facilitate a small, focused group for women healing from sexual trauma. The group blends psychoeducation, somatic tools, and supportive community—offering a space to feel less alone and more resourced for the road ahead.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think we’re in the middle of a shift in the therapy world—and it’s a necessary one. More people are recognizing that trauma isn’t just psychological—it’s physiological. It lives in the nervous system, in the body, and in the way we relate to ourselves and others. And because of that, there’s growing awareness that healing needs to happen on multiple levels—not just through insight or talk-based strategies.
Over the next five to ten years, I see more clinicians moving toward integrative, nervous-system-informed care. Somatic therapy, EMDR, and parts work aren’t fringe anymore—they’re becoming central to how we understand healing. I also think we’ll see more conversation around pacing—moving away from performance-based wellness and toward slower, more relational, embodied work.
As this field evolves, I hope we move toward care that’s not only deeper—but more accessible to the people who need it most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nicoleflynntherapy.com/
