Cedar Counseling & Wellness

Carrie Nicholes, LCSW-C

(she/her)

Licensed Clinical therapist

I believe that real compassion includes both encouragement and accountability, and that is the foundation of how I work. Therapy should feel safe enough to be honest and structured enough to actually go somewhere.

 

I am a seasoned licensed clinical therapist practicing in Maryland and Washington DC, working with adults navigating anxiety, relationships, and the ongoing work of self-discovery. My hope is that the way we work together becomes a model for how you begin to show up for yourself long after our sessions are done.

 

I offer complimentary 15-minute consultations and am available to connect via email or you can schedule an appointment at the link below. 

Anxiety

Anxiety convinces you that the worst is likely and the only safe option is to avoid, control, or brace for impact. My approach is rooted in neuroscience, helping you understand what is actually happening in your brain and nervous system. From there, we build a personalized toolkit of mindfulness-based and nervous system regulation strategies to help you reduce your baseline, manage the hard moments, and reclaim the life anxiety has been quietly shrinking.

Self-Compassion

You would never speak to someone you love the way you speak to yourself. The relentless self-criticism, the impossibly high standards, the belief that you have to earn your own worth, these patterns are exhausting, and they are also learned. Together we will untangle the core beliefs that fuel your inner critic and replace them with something more honest and sustainable, a relationship with yourself rooted in curiosity, kindness, and genuine self-respect.

Relationships

How we show up in relationships is often a reflection of how we see ourselves. Together we will explore the attachment patterns, communication styles, and past wounds that shape both. Whether you are working to improve a relationship, navigate a major life transition, or simply reconnect with your own sense of self, this work helps you build a clearer, more grounded identity and the confidence to show up authentically in the relationships that matter most.

My Approach

My approach is integrative, neuroscience-informed, and grounded in the belief that lasting change comes from understanding yourself from the inside out. Mindfulness is at the core of my work, woven into nearly everything we do together. From there, I draw from a range of evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), tailoring my approach to you and what you are working through.

 

I am warm and direct, and I have a genuine passion for psychoeducation. I love helping clients understand not just what they are feeling, but why, and what they can actually do about it. Sessions are practical and skills-focused without losing the depth and personal exploration that makes therapy meaningful. I also believe that humor has a place in the healing process, and I am not afraid to use it when the moment is right. I work best with people who are curious, motivated, and ready to do the real work of changing their lives.

Areas of Expertise

  • Anxiety Counseling

  • Stress Management

  • Self-Worth

  • Self-Compassion

  • Depression

  • Assertive Communication Skills

  • Boundaries

  • Grief & Loss

  • Heartbreak/End of Relationship

  • Life Transitions

  • Coping Skill Development

  • Young Adult Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

  • Mindfulness-based Interventions

  • Discernment Counseling

  • Health at Every Size (HAES®)-aligned

Professional Credentials

Licenses & Certifications

  • Licensed Certified Social Worker – Clinical (LCSW-C) – Maryland Board of Social Work

  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) – Washington DC Board of Social Work

  • Maryland Board approved supervisor for Licensed Masters Social Workers (LMSW)

  • Certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Teens (MBSR-T) Instructor

  • Certified Yoga Teacher
  • Discernment Counseling
  • Prepare/Enrich Certified Facilitator

Education

  • Brigham Young University – 2006 – Marriage, Family, and Human Development

  • Brigham Young University – 2008 – Master of Social Work

On a Personal Note

  • I’m originally from the West Coast, and my first job was scooping ice cream at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. 

  • I was a DJ in high school at a small radio station (my friend and I even had our own radio show!).

  • I lived in France & Switzerland for a year and a half, and I’m always fantasizing about the next opportunity to travel.

  • I love spending time with my family, dog, and friends.