Heal complex trauma at the root with IFS and EMDR.
I specialize in helping high-achievers break free from the hidden wounds that are quietly igniting full f*cking dumpster fires in their lives. Virtual therapy in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia.
Right now, you’re stuck in a never-ending GPS glitch—constantly “recalculating,” only to land back at the same place of self-doubt and overthinking, wondering if your internal GPS is permanently busted …
But imagine smashing that loop and finally having an internal compass that doesn’t gaslight you—one that points you in the right direction, helps you show up as your true self, and lets you trust your gut without second-guessing every move.
We’re not just sitting around talking about feelings. We’re diving deep using methods like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) that get to the root of your complex trauma—the old wounds and messy experiences that keep you stuck in self-doubt and toxic patterns.
I’ve been helping ambitious, self-aware, ready-to-do-the-work clients heal for over 8 years.
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“Joanna is a kind, compassionate therapist. She cares for her clients and provides exceptional service to them all. Clients who have experienced trauma will find a safe, supportive environment to work through it while in her care.”
– Shannon Blair, LCSW
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“I have witnessed Joanna support clients through the most difficult times in their life with such care and compassion.“
– Elizabeth Horrigan, LCSW, LICSW, LCSW-C
Ready to get started or want to learn more?
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…fill out the form below!
Limited spots available as I keep a small case load to ensure quality.
Why wait? Every day you put off dealing with your sh*t is another day of …
→ Running yourself ragged trying to be everything to everyone, only to feel like a fraud, totally out of touch with what you actually want.
→ Stuck in endless shame spirals, tearing yourself apart over every tiny misstep, and wondering if you’re just straight-up broken for never feeling “enough.”
→ Pushing yourself to burnout just to prove your worth, only to feel even more lost and further from the life you’re supposed to be living.
→ Getting sucked into the same damn toxic relationship vortex and feeling like you’ll never escape the rinse-and-repeat cycle of dysfunction.
→ Wrestling with anxiety, burnout, and self-doubt that hang around like uninvited party guests—refusing to leave no matter how much you overwork, overthink, or overdo it.
A few ideas we’ll explore:
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→ Complex trauma isn’t “baggage”—it’s the hidden force shaping how you see yourself and others.
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→ 5 ways attachment issues can keep you stuck in a loop of toxic relationships.
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→ That exhaustion and overwhelm you feel sometimes as a helper/healer? It has a role, too.
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→ Shame doesn’t “motivate” you—it’s holding you back. Here’s what works instead.
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→ Veteran trauma isn’t always about combat—why it’s often hidden and hard to spot.
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→ IFS: Therapy for all the voices in your head (yep, even the critical ones).
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→ EMDR might sound woo-woo but it works. Here’s how it relieves trauma faster.
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→ Anxiety hijacking your life? It’s your body’s way of screaming, “HEY, we need to deal with our sh*t!”
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→ Here’s why complex trauma could be behind your constant “I’m not enough” feelings.
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→ Healers and helpers burn out faster because their trauma is the fuel driving them to overcare (and overextend).
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→ Conflict feels like an apocalypse for trauma survivors. Learn how to handle it without shutting down.
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→ Your inner critic is a trauma response, not a truth-teller—here’s how to work with it.
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→ People-pleasing isn’t just a “cute quirk”—it’s your trauma trying to keep you afloat.
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→ Can’t turn off your brain? Trauma is keeping you on high alert. Here are three strategies to find your calm.
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→ Beating yourself up won’t help you change. Self-compassion is the true game-changer.
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→ Being “too sensitive” isn’t a problem. Discover how to use it as a superpower instead.
Meet the Therapist
Hi, I’m Joanna Nichols, and I’m not your typical therapist. I show up as my real, authentic self (yes, even with messy hair and a hoodie) because I know how hard it is to be vulnerable when you’re wrestling with self-doubt and shame.
I specialize in helping high-achievers like you break free from toxic patterns that are often rooted in complex trauma—the hidden force quietly driving your anxiety, burnout, or people-pleasing tendencies.
I’ve walked this path myself—overcoming my own trauma, addiction, and loss—and I’m passionate about helping you untangle what’s really behind your struggles, so you can FINALLY create the kickass life that’s always felt just out of reach.
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LCSW in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia.
Certified in IFS and EMDR
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