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Nikkia Matthews

Nikkia Matthews, LMSW

Michigan

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LMSW - Relationships and Trauma

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Emotionally-Focused Therapy

About Nikkia

Nikkia Matthews is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with 11 years of clinical experience based in Michigan. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, grief, trauma and abuse, and issues around self-esteem and addictions. She also lists interest in ADHD, compassion fatigue, and intimacy-related struggles.

Her approach mixes conversation and practical work. Sessions focus on identifying patterns that keep people stuck and on trying new ways of responding. Nikkia uses methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and the Gottman Method where helpful.

She often addresses problems rooted in family of origin, attachment, abandonment, and communication difficulties. That can look like mapping family patterns, clarifying boundaries, or practicing new ways to talk about needs. She also helps people facing life transitions, parenting strain, fatherhood concerns, blended family issues, and divorce or separation.

When trauma or grief is present, she supports clients in naming painful memories and building skills to manage distressing reactions. Work can include focusing on forgiveness, processing emptiness, and rebuilding day-to-day coping.

Nikkia aims to be practical and direct in sessions. She encourages small experiments between meetings so clients can test what changes feel possible. To start, people complete a brief matching questionnaire and schedule a first session through the online therapy options button.

Approaches used and how online sessions work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice unhelpful thoughts and commit to actions that reflect their values. It can help with anxiety, avoidance, and feelings of stuckness. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches concrete skills to shift unhelpful patterns. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) centers on identifying and reshaping emotional responses in relationships and can help when intimacy or attachment issues cause pain.

Choosing the right approach is something the therapist and client figure out together. Nikkia discusses goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped in the past. That collaborative process guides which methods are emphasized in sessions and what homework or practice might follow.

Confirm current session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific options. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around work, family, or caregiving by removing travel time and offering shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people practice communication or emotional skills in real-life settings and then reflect on those moments in the next session.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

11+ years

Listed in

Michigan

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address related to guilt and shame?

She lists trauma, family of origin issues, forgiveness, body image, codependency, and relationship problems that often include guilt and shame themes.

How would she describe her therapeutic style?

Her style combines talk therapy with practical work, using CBT, ACT, EFT, and Gottman techniques to try new ways of responding between sessions.

How long has she been practicing?

She has 11 years of clinical experience and holds an LMSW credential in Michigan.

Where is she licensed and based?

She is an LMSW credential holder practicing in Michigan.

What languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people from other countries work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How are sessions paid for and what does cost look like?

Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.

Nikkia MatthewsLMSW

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