Nik Thoma, LICSW (they/them)

We experience life through all of our senses, and I believe we can invite all of them in the therapeutic process as well, to address feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, grief, burnout, overwhelm, or anger (among many more). One of the approaches that grounds my practice is Narrative Therapy, which is rooted in the idea that we create reality through the stories we tell ourselves, the stories we’ve been told from friends/family, and the ones that we’ve been socialized into. The wonderful thing about stories is that they can be edited and changed in the face of new information, which may help to boost self-esteem, strengthen identities, reduce anxiety, process grief, and address burnout.

My approach to therapy

I offer individual sessions with adults (18+) both virtually and in-person. I am an AuDHD, non-binary, queer, chronically ill, and white clinician. I work from an expressive arts therapy framework grounded in person-centered, neurodivergent-affirming, and narrative theories. Which is a fancy way of saying that I will offer some non-verbal ways of exploration (visual arts, creative writing, music, play, clay/playdough/sand, movement, and others) to facilitate insights, build coping skills, and gain better understanding of self/wants/identity. You do not have to be creative and/or an artist or "good" at any of it! The process of creativity is the focus and the process is wonderfully effective when it's imperfect. I promise. I operate from a place that tries to reduce the power dynamic inherent in therapy as much as possible. This starts with the groundwork that you are the expert in your story, and I am here as a guide to assist you towards meeting the goals you set at the pace you set.

I am an LGBTQIA+, kink & polyam, and neurodiversity affirming therapist.

It’s my hope that we can create a comfortable space together for exploration and unlearning the stories that may be keeping you from the life you’d like to live. I strive to hold a space for us that encourages messiness, imperfections, and gentle risk-taking balanced with education, humor, and encouragement. There’s also an open and excited invitation for your favorite fandoms and special interests to join in too!

I work best with people who may have been told that they “think outside the box”, have a sense of curiosity, enjoy direct communication, like to laugh, and/or are looking for options outside traditional talk therapies. 

An art therapist with short hair sitting on a blue chair, holding a metal slinky. Bookshelf and plants in the background.

MEET THE TEAM

Areas of focus

  • LGBTQIA+ Concerns

  • ADHD/Autism/AuDHD

  • Identity Exploration

  • Anxiety and Stress

  • Chronic Illness

  • Burnout (caregiving, career, creativity)  

Education and training

  • Masters in Social Work at Walden University

  • Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the Art Institute of California - Santa Ana

  • Expressive Arts Certification from Northwest Creative and Expressive Arts Institute

  • Restorative Attachment™: Expressive Arts and Sensory Processing as Neurodiversity Affirming Practices

  • Trauma-Informed Creative Art Therapy Certificate

Credentials

  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (#LW61445366)

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