Olivia Nickulis, MS, LPC-pending

Kids, Adolescents, College, Young Adults, Adults, Parents, Families

Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, ADHD, OCD, Sports Anxiety, Trauma, Autism, Phobias, Bullying, Disordered Eating, Stressful Life Transitions, Troublesome Childhoods, Relationship Stress, Family Conflict, School Issues, Grief, LGBTQIA+ Affirming

Hi, my name is Olivia! I grew up in a suburb just north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin that’s called Germantown (GO PACK GO). I attended St. Norbert College and Marquette University to receive my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Now I’ve found myself in a new adventure, living in the North Shore, excited to serve this beautiful community!

Before becoming a therapist, I was the Operations Director for one of the country’s leading Pom Pon dance camps, Badgerette. I oversaw the camp’s organization with over 200 campers for each session, in addition to teaching and training dancers ages 8-18 years old. In 2022, I was named in the “Badgertte Hall of Fame,” which honors individuals who have made a difference and given back to the pom and dance world in a positive way. My love of dance, teaching and supporting campers led me to want to be a therapist to make a greater impact on the lives of kids and teens.

During my clinical internship, I worked at Children’s Wisconsin, a nationally ranked, freestanding, 298-bed, pediatric acute care children’s hospital located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was given the chance to support children, adolescents, and their families through a multitude of diagnoses and different life-stressors.

As somebody who has been on their own mental health journey, I’ve know how important it is to find the right therapist. I’ve had both negative and positive experiences and have dedicated my career in hopes to be a positive experience for you. Though there may have been challenges, I am grateful for those experiences because they have all been, and will continue to be, life lessons that give me a better perspective about how to help YOU!

If you choose to work with me, you will be met at every session with warmth, compassion, and genuine curiosity. Therapy is almost like taking a road trip where I’m the GPS and you’re the driver. I may give you directions to your destination, but ultimately you decide where we go and how fast we get there. My job is to provide you with tools and direction to accomplish your goals and your job is to apply what you learn in therapy to your everyday life.

When you’ve decided you may need some help, getting started is always the hardest part, so I applaud you for just looking into getting help for yourself or your loved ones.

When I sought out my first therapist, I felt that I was strong enough to ask for help, not that I was too weak to do it on my own. I’m proud of you for taking this first step and I hope you feel strong too!

Children & Adolescents

Therapy can look completely different when working with children and adolescents compared to adults. One thing I love to do while working with children and adolescents in therapy is to use their activities and hobbies in our sessions, as it can be a great coping skill! I’ve built LEGO’s with clients, created art projects, listened to music, and have done whatever else made that client feel comfortable.

During my time at Children’s Wisconsin hospital, I supported children, adolescents, and their families through a multitude of diagnoses and different life-stressors. I’ve seen a lot and know the importance of the family unit. I love collaborating with parents and families, as those are the greatest source of support for kids. Together, we can help your child enjoy their life and learn lessons that will set them up for success in the rest of their adult life.

College & Young Adults

College and early adulthood is a big transition in life and understandably can cause a lot of stress. As you explore your future, your job is ultimately to figure out who you are and who you want to be.

However, you also have to juggle classes, internships, interviewing, your own finances and future career –along with family relationships, dating and friendships. This stage of life is a perfect time to get support and have someone help hold your hand as you emerge into your future.

While family, parents and friends can be a great support, it can be difficult to separate their own experiences, feelings and dreams for your life. If you allow me to be that support, have hope for change, and we utilize treatments to fit your exact needs, therapy can be a safe place to explore and figure out the best plan for your future.

Eating Disorders

The world of disordered eating is growing in complexity today. I’ve attended specialized trainings for Eating Disorders and have seen it’s impact on many athletes and dancers. Food is intended to be a source of nourishment for our bodies, not something to hurt ourselves, punish or control. Together, we can explore any issues you are experiencing and help create a plan for a healthy relationship with food and appreciation for your body.

Perfectionism & Anxiety

Perfectionism and anxiety go hand-in-hand. I know personally and professionally.

When you strive for perfection, every decision feels like it can change your entire life and you’re constantly worried about making the “right one”. Ironically, perfectionism and anxiety often stop you in your tracks causing you to freeze. Perfectionists often procrastinate to avoid this anxiety and don’t trust themselves to manage their time, as they never feel “done” because it’s never perfect enough.

This has been a huge challenge for myself, and I often have to remind myself that mistakes are ALRIGHT and they are actually our greatest teachers. If you struggle with anxiety and perfectionism like I do, this is a hard, but important lesson to learn early and it can be helpful to have someone there to remind you.

Sports Anxiety & Performance

I’ve been a competitive dancer my whole life, starting at 4 years old. In college, I was the team captain of my dance team and Division 3 State Dance qualifiers all four years and I was in the Top 6 for Miss Badgerette Soloists.

I know the unique rewards, challenges and pressures athletes face. Competition, injuries, high expectations can all lead to burnout, fatigue, and discouragement.

Mental health is so important for athletes, and often overlooked. Together, we can work on improving focus, mental strength, positivity and visualizations so you can not only succeed in your sports, but enjoy your sports too!

For Fun…

If I’m not working, I’m spending most of my time with family, friends, or relaxing at home with my kittens. I tend to hyperfixate on hobbies, so my latest one has been building LEGO’s, and let me tell you, I could build for HOURS!

I’ve also danced my entire life and use this as my main form of self-care. Whether I’m watching Dancing With The Stars, building LEGO’s, or dancing in the kitchen with my nieces and nephews, I always find some time to engage in activities that bring me joy.

To book an appointment, 847-919-9096 x.1, [email protected]