There are a few ways you can set-up an appointment:

• You can contact Nick by calling (615) 852-8281.  If he is unable to take your call, know that he is either in session with a client or away from his phone. You can feel free to leave a voicemail and he will return your call within 24-hours.

• You can email Nick through his practice address – nick.choate.lpc@gmail.com

• You can contact him through Thrive’s website using any of the Schedule an Appointment buttons on the pages.  During that time, please feel free to ask any questions you may have and Nick will get back you within 48-hours.

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to ask.  THRIVE wants to help in any way possible.

This is a great question and it lingers in just about everyone’s mind when they consider talking with a therapist.  The fact remains that you have already made incredible strides to take care of yourself and that should not be overlooked.  Anytime someone seeks assistance with mental, emotional or relational care it can be intimidating.  Nick finds that most people are already pretty scared because of what they have probably been telling themselves or even what others may have told them.  Nick wants every client to feel safe and encouraged when they come into his office, and this is his top priority.

Once you have scheduled your appointment, you will be asked to read through and complete the forms prior to your first meeting.  This will help clients better understand the counseling process but also provide Nick with some additional information to better understand how he can help you.

When you arrive at Cypress Counseling Group, you will have a seat in the lobby.  There Nick will greet you at the time of your appointment, ask if you would be interested in coffee, tea or water and will walk you back to his office.  Here, Nick will invite you to share your story to help him understand why you are seeking assistance at this time.  Together, you will look at what has and has not been working so that you can collaborate ways to address the problem(s).  This first session is primarily used to better understand your history and any contributing factors or goals you have in mind for seeking therapy.  If the conversation goes well, Nick will establish a future meeting time and address any issues/problems you want to focus on during those meetings.

There is no “I” in therapy. What Nick means is that he wants to works as a team with his clients to accomplish each of their goals.  Thrive encourages all their clients to be realistic and patient with the process.  Therapy is rarely a quick fix, but the process, wisdom and growth gained from your time together is fertile soil for building a trusting relationship with your therapist.

Nick looks forward to meeting you soon!

Not at all. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the courage to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. We are not islands nor were we meant to struggle in solitude. During sessions we work together, client and therapist, to help you explore and identify your strengths, weakness, implications of your story and how to implement them to reduce the influence of the problems you are facing.

The difference is quite striking and even scary for some. A friend or family member will often provide advice or direction based off their experiences or intuition.  The relationship is intended to flow two directions but a professional counselor is someone who has been trained to expressly trust that the client “knows where they need go” and it isn’t our place to tell a client where they need to go or what they need to do. A mental health professional helps you approach your situation(s) in a new way– teach you new skills, help you gain alternative perspectives, listen to you without judgment or criticism, and most importantly we feel is to help you listen to yourself and your deeper desires and longings. Furthermore, counseling is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing your business.” Lastly, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, and you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person, so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life. Let friends and family members return to cheering you on rather than trying to cheer you up.

Medication is and can be effective but, a common misconception, medication alone cannot and often does not solve all our issues. Sometimes medication IS needed in conjunction with counseling and in fact often works best when your biologic symptoms are cared for so they don’t continue to exasperate a persons coping skills. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing and expand on your values, strengths, and abilities to help you accomplish your personal goals but that can’t happen if a person can’t experience even some relief.

Because each person has different issues and goals for counseling, it will be different depending on the individual. I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs.

Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time counseling can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place.

Nick is so glad you want to be dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication will be crucial to your success. Sometimes there will be assignments or activities to practice or reflect-on between sessions.  It is not out the ordinary to encourage a client to research an idea, read a topic or listen to a podcast/video/song between sessions. The goal of therapy, if there must be one, is to provide a “safe space” for clients to unpack and approach those darker areas we all have inside us. Those places often leave us feeling stuck, helpless, or afraid.  Out of this safe space, clients learn to begin operating out of a healthier place of Self (i.e. Calm, Curious, Creative, Courageous, Connected, Compassionate) that, ultimately, leads them to having direction and confidence to choose what they need and want.