Nicole Filipe LCMFT is our newest addition to the team at Better Together Family Therapy. She has tremendous expertise in helping teens and tweens (ages 10+), couples, families, and adults to be their best selves.

I interviewed Nicole (on Zoom, of course) to introduce her to all of you. We know you’ll enjoy meeting her as much as we have. Click on the video to see our conversation.

Nicole strives to make every client feel proud of all they have accomplished. To know that they have grown. And to feel more solid.

Keep reading to see Nicole’s answers to our questions. And to learn more about Nicole’s expertise. You can also find her bio on our website here.

Therapy for Highly Sensitive People (HSP’s)

Nicole has extensive experience helping highly sensitive people. To overcome overwhelm. And recognize their superpower for the gift that it is.

Not sure if you might be highly sensitive? Nicole has a few tips.

• Highly sensitive people are very aware of what’s happening around them. Including others’ emotions and sensory stimuli. It’s easy to get overwhelmed.

• Being highly sensitive is a superpower. But just like x-ray vision might lead you to see too much. Being highly sensitive can make you feel too much.

• You may be easily hurt. Or tend to worry a lot. This might lead to feeling anxious or depressed.

• A highly sensitive child might look stubborn. Or shy. While trying to avoid or escape discomfort.

• A highly sensitive teen might seem combative. Become depressed as a result of deeply felt emotions. Or seem to give up.

• Therapy can help HSP’s manage the overwhelm and stay engaged with family and friends.

Parenting as a Highly Sensitive Person

Highly sensitive parents might have big reactions. To the things kids do. Like being loud or rough or melting down.

This can lead to feeling bad about your parenting. Not being the parent you dream of being. And feeling exhausted.

A therapist can help you navigate parenting. Without being run over by it. But it’s important to find one that understands your sensitivity.

Parenting a Highly Sensitive Child or Teen

You might be parenting a highly sensitive child. If little things seem to have big effects. If the changes you make don’t make your child feel any better.

This can be so frustrating! You are trying every day to do right by your child. And nothing seems to be right for her.

He explodes over every little thing. She hides from the world. They won’t go to new places or try new things.

When you’re out of tools to help, therapy can be the next step. Nicole uses DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills. To help your child feel the world and still hang out in it.

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy

With EFT Nicole can help couples to identify cycles of conflict that keep them stuck. Partners will find their unmet needs. And start communicating in ways that meet those needs. And it works for families too!

Family Therapy with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Practice

DBT skills are the tools families use to take charge of strong emotions. So they can stay connected when times are hard. Nicole uses DBT skills in her work with couples, families, and individuals.

More Conversation with Nicole

What qualities do you bring into the therapy room?

Humor! Metaphors. Mindfulness. Movement. Art. My experience with depth work helps me ensure that we’re getting to the root of what’s going on. We’ll work on the practical pieces, but we’ll make sure we know what’s under it too.

What is your favorite part of being a therapist?

Celebrating the successes! Being able to go through the tough stuff and celebrate on the other side. Saying “look how far you’ve come! You did it!” That’s awesome.

What’s most important to you about doing this work?

Making that one on one connection. Or family connection or couple connection. Connecting with each person and understanding their life. So that I can help and send them on their beautiful way!

What do you want your clients to feel at the end of therapy with you?

I want them to feel proud. They have gone through a tough journey and I want them to feel that they’ve grown. Feel stronger, more solid.

Like they have a little more spring in their step. And know that they can handle what life throws at them. Even while it’s tough.

And they know at the end of the day “I can get through on the other side. I’ve got the tools in my pocket. Thanks to Nicole.

If you’re ready to put those tools in your pocket, click here to request your free 15 minute consult. Let our practice administrator know that you’d like to meet with Nicole, and we’ll set it up!

Online Counseling all over Maryland

The distance from your home to our office used to matter. Not anymore! You can connect to all of our services online from anywhere in Maryland.