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Nichole Gabriel, MSEd, MHC-LP

Mental Health Counselor

I am a psychotherapist working with adolescents, adults, and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and major life transitions. My approach is both reflective and practical — offering space to explore deeper emotional patterns while also integrating tools that support meaningful and sustainable change.

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I am committed to creating a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and LGBTQIA+ affirming space where people of all identities feel seen, heard, and supported.

Nichole SquareSpace.webp

Areas of Focus

Supporting Identity, Loss, and Relational Growth

How I Work

Integrating Insight With Actionable Tools

Clinical & Community Experience

Hands-on Clinical Training and Service Within Diverse Communities

Professional Background & Lived Experience

Experience Shaped by Leadership, Creativity, and Cross-Cultural Family Life

Credentials & Training

Advanced Education and Ongoing Clinical Supervision

I work with clients experiencing:​

  • Anxiety, panic, and depression

  • Adverse childhood experiences and attachment wounds

  • Loss of a parent and complicated grief

  • Mixed-race identity and cross-cultural or interracial relationship challenges

  • Family conflict, separation, and infidelity

  • Adolescent emotional and academic stress

  • Internet and gaming addiction

  • Career transitions, workplace stress, and entrepreneurial pressures

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Much of my work centers on identity development — particularly for those balancing multiple cultural, relational, or professional roles.

My therapeutic approach is integrative and collaborative. I blend psychodynamic and existential exploration with cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Gottman-informed couples work.​

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I believe healing involves both understanding the roots of emotional patterns and developing new ways of responding in the present. Together, at a pace that feels right for you, we’ll explore how early experiences, relationships, and broader social contexts shape your inner world. My goal is to help you cultivate greater clarity, resilience, and authenticity in your daily life.

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My clinical work is aligned with the integrative philosophy of RISE Center, emphasizing thoughtful reflection, relational depth, and structured support.

My clinical training has included:​

  • Providing weekly psychotherapy to adolescents in a school-based setting

  • Serving as a crisis counselor through Crisis Text Line

  • Acting as a court-appointed advocate for foster youth

  • Supervising student counseling groups

  • Participating in research examining multicultural traits in psychotherapy

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These experiences inform my work with clients navigating crisis, identity complexity, and relational challenges across developmental stages.

Before entering the counseling field, I spent over a decade as an entrepreneur and leader in educational technology. As Co-Founder and Chief Design Officer of Duck Duck Moose — later acquired by Khan Academy — I helped build award-winning educational tools focused on expanding access to early learning.​

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Working at the intersection of design, science, and engineering shaped my appreciation for how systems are built — and how environments influence development. I understand the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, leadership, and navigating demanding professional environments. This background informs my work with clients managing workplace stress, career transitions, and the pursuit of balance.

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I am also the mother of two children whose roots span different cultures and racial identities, filling our home with laughter, learning, and perspective.

I hold a Master of Science in Education in Mental Health Counseling from Fordham University. I also earned a Master’s degree in Design from the School of Visual Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from The George Washington University.​

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I practice as a Mental Health Counselor – Limited Permit (MHC-LP) in New York and work under the clinical supervision of Dr. Elena E. Kim at RISE Center.

A Thoughtful Beginning

Beginning therapy can feel both hopeful and uncertain. If you’re ready to explore working together, I welcome you to schedule a consultation through RISE Center to determine the best next step.

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