I believe in wholeheartedly continuing the legacy of the ones who have passed. Their death is not a period, but a comma— A story that continues to unfold with an abundance of love.
Hi, I’m Nici, specialized grief therapist and owner of Crown of Hope Counseling.
I came to know grief on a significant life experience level through the passing of my own mother. I was blessed to have a mom who knew her life would end early and sought to raise me with the intention of knowing that, while her physical time was limited, her legacy would carry on.
She showed me what it meant to have courage, to be graceful, and to fiercely commit to unconditional love. She inspired me to pursue chaplaincy in a trauma level one hospital, and in doing so, to witness firsthand the dire need for a continued support system for those experiencing grief and loss.
You see, grief doesn’t come to a hard stop with a last breath or the moment the tears stop flowing. It doesn’t come to a close when the hospital doors shut behind you. You know that better than anyone.
Grief goes far beyond, and it seeks a compassionate witness to help you navigate your loss and healing in all of its seasons.
Above all else, I have learned that grief is an expression of love, and the ultimate challenge when we lose someone dear to us is to know what to do with that love. Where do we put it now? Where do we go from here?
Through multiple avenues of leaning into my mom’s legacy, including seven years of clinical experience in both acute care and private practice, I have come to know that one of the most vital parts of the healing process is making meaning out of the pain, giving yourself permission to navigate grief in your own way, and finding somewhere to place all of that love. I believe in a holistic, integrated path that uses a variety of therapeutic approaches— person-centered, narrative, existential, cognitive behavioral, and art therapy— to walk the creative pathway to your healing.
I believe in wholeheartedly continuing the legacy of the ones who have passed. Their death is not a period, but a comma— A story that continues to unfold with an abundance of love.
Education, Credentials, Experience, & Certifications
BA Psychology, Minor in Health Communications; University of Houston
MA Biblical Counseling; Dallas Theological Seminary
Doctoral in Advanced Studies of Human Behavior; Capella University (PhD)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Board Certified Chaplain (BCC)
Board Certified Telemental Health Provider (BC-TMH)
Certified Consulting Hypnotist (CCH)
Professional Affiliations
Cradled (Infant Loss Support)
Association of Professional Chaplains
Winning the Fight (Support Group for Drug Overdose)
When I’m not seeing clients, you can find me…
…spending time with my family, probably laughing or delving into my art. I’m currently finding myself heavily drawn into the watercolor medium. I’ve also recently found myself fascinated by Pinterest recipes accompanied with a good Dr. Pepper.
I value community and connection, so I spend a lot of time being intentional with those I care about. I am a proud mom who loves a good Laffy Taffy joke and can never turn down a good snuggle from my corgis.
