“Courage doesn’t always roar.  Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying “I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

Dr. Nicole Johnson is the founder of River Vale Psychology Clinic and has been providing therapy for adults, children, and families since 2008.  Her background includes in-office therapy, as well as intensive in-home therapy for families and children, group therapy, day treatment services, and exposure therapy in the community.

Nicole provides therapy and psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. She also provides therapy services for parents, couples, and families. Nicole is particularly interested in family relationships, parent-child relationships, and early childhood behavior and development. She utilizes a strengths-based, developmental approach to working with all clients and appreciates the unique experiences clients encounter throughout the lifespan.

Nicole especially enjoys working with clients who are looking to understand and improve their interpersonal relationships through therapy.  She sees relationships as a vital part of life and aims to help clients explore how they can influence those relationships for the better.  She understands that, even with the best intentions, our communication and behavior with others can be challenging at times.  In therapy, Nicole empowers her clients to build a positive relationship with their emotions and experiences.  Emotions are an important part of our everyday life, but they may begin to feel overwhelming and take over our lives.  Therapy can help clients understand their emotional experiences and empower them to feel more in control.

Nicole has extensive experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and utilizes these approaches in therapy when they match the client’s needs. Nicole often incorporates play, art, and bibliotherapy into her sessions, particularly for young children who benefit from these modalities while processing their emotions and experiences.

Nicole also offers psychological assessments and referrals for clients who are looking to understand more about their mental health and functioning in various areas.  Psychological assessments may offer clarification on diagnosis, personal strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations or next steps for treatment.