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NG Portrait of Nicole Guessford

Nicole Guessford

Compassionate, structured care for complex challenges

LCSW Pennsylvania

Experience
23 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Nicole

About Nicole

Nicole Guessford is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Pennsylvania with 23 years of professional experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, family conflict, trauma and abuse, parenting concerns, depression, relationship and intimacy challenges, grief, and related issues.

Background and approach

Nicole emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion while tailoring conversations and treatment plans to each person's unique needs. Her approach blends structured, direct guidance with holistic principles.

She often assigns practical exercises between sessions to build skills outside the therapy hour and encourages self-care and self-compassion as part of change. Nicole draws from multiple evidence-informed methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and adapts tools to what suits each client.

Nicole accepts clients through insurance and works with people who are prepared to commit to regular telehealth sessions on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule. She welcomes the courage it takes to begin therapy and aims to make the process collaborative and goal-oriented.

Evidence-Informed Approaches Applied to Online Care

Nicole integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into her telehealth practice. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or difficulties with sleep and eating. ACT emphasizes values-based action and mindfulness strategies to help clients move toward meaningful goals even when difficult emotions are present.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. She works with clients to explore which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time so the work remains relevant and practical. Clients can expect a tailored plan that blends structured skill-building with attention to individual values and relationships.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to attend regularly from different locations. These options support consistent weekly or bi-weekly sessions and allow homework, skills practice, and communication to continue between appointments for ongoing progress.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Nicole address?
Nicole works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, eating and sleeping difficulties, anger, self-esteem, career concerns, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is described as structured and direct while remaining compassionate and sensitive; she often uses practical exercises or homework to reinforce skills learned in sessions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 23 years of professional experience to her practice, working with a wide range of mental health and relational concerns.
What credentials and practice locations are listed?
Nicole holds the LCSW credential and is licensed in Virginia and Pennsylvania with the listed VA LCSW number 0904014683 and PA LCSW number CW015210. Her practice location is Pennsylvania.
In what languages does she provide services and does she accept international clients?
Services are provided in English, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are offered?
She provides telehealth sessions only, including video calls and may offer phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging according to the listed session formats; note that she currently provides telehealth sessions in line with insurance regulations.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time; she is currently accepting clients through insurance.
How do I begin working with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression

Also works with

Relationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily problemsGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyMidlife crisisPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSex addictionSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Motivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

23+ years

Licensed

Pennsylvania, Virginia

Languages

English