Nicole Connelly

LCAT, ATR-BC #003124

Emotional Regulation

Anxiety

Child & Adolescent

Client Focus: Children, Adolescents, Families, Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Specialties: Child and adolescent therapy, emotional regulation, anxiety, ADHD and attention difficulties, autism spectrum disorder, school adjustment, life transitions, self-esteem, depression

Treatment Methods: Creative Art Therapy, Mindfulness Approaches, DBT (in training)

Nicole Connelly is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Board-Certified Art Therapist who specializes in creating safe, supportive spaces where children and adolescents can navigate challenges with emotional regulation and anxiety. She understands that finding language to express complex thoughts and emotions can feel overwhelming or out of reach for young clients, so she offers a different way in, through creative expression that doesn't have to start with words. Nicole helps children and teens explore their inner world, process emotions, and make sense of their experiences at their own pace, building coping skills and developing a stronger sense of resilience and self-confidence along the way.

Her therapeutic approach centers on creative art therapy and mindfulness techniques, allowing clients to express themselves in the ways that work best for them, whether through art, writing, or other creative modalities. Nicole believes the creative process helps access insight, integrate experiences, and foster a sense of wholeness. It's a process-oriented approach that creates a nonthreatening and supportive environment where clients feel safe to experiment and explore their inner world without judgment. She tailors each session to the client's unique needs, remaining flexible and adaptable because she knows that sometimes sessions don't go exactly as planned. By engaging clients through art and incorporating their interests, Nicole meets them where they are and makes therapy both meaningful and enjoyable.

With a Master's degree in Creative Arts Therapy from Hofstra University, Nicole brings diverse experience working with children, adolescents, and adults across inpatient psychiatric hospitals, adolescent partial hospitalization programs, and with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. She is committed to ongoing professional growth and is currently in the process of becoming a Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional (C-DBT). Nicole's dedication to learning, both from other professionals and from her clients themselves, allows her to continually expand her knowledge and skills, staying current with best practices to provide the highest level of care.

Outside the therapy room, Nicole loves spending time at the beach, no matter the season. She enjoys creating her own art and trying out new DIY projects, and values quality time with family and friends. Her favorite dessert is a warm chocolate chip cookie, she adores penguins, and sage green is her favorite color.

  • Connection Through Creativity
    Nicole has a strong ability to connect with clients, especially children and teens, by engaging them through art and incorporating their interests. Since she was an anxious child who struggled to find the right words or understand what she was feeling, art became her way of processing the world—giving her comfort, clarity, and a sense of control when everything else felt overwhelming. She brings that same understanding to her work with young clients.

  • Art as Emotional Language
    For many people, especially those still learning how to understand and manage their feelings, traditional talk therapy can feel challenging. Art can slow things down, make feelings more visible, and give clients the chance to practice emotional regulation in a supportive, nonjudgmental space. Whether it's big outbursts, sudden mood shifts, or feeling overwhelmed by emotions they can't quite name, Nicole uses creative expression to help clients safely explore what anxiety feels like in their bodies and minds without the pressure to explain it verbally.

  • Lifelong Learner
    Nicole is dedicated to ongoing professional development and enjoys staying current with best practices. Learning from both other professionals and her clients themselves allows her to continually expand her knowledge and skills, ensuring she provides the highest level of care while remaining adaptable to each client's unique needs.

"I became an art therapist because I love combining creativity with helping others. I want my clients to know they don't have to go through challenges alone, and that therapy can be a safe space to explore, express, and grow. My hope is that together we build confidence, a sense of safety, and new ways to handle life's ups and downs."

- Nicole Connelly, LCAT, ATR-BC