What patients are saying
Overall rating
5.00
Average wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
“Nicole has helped me so much through some of my most challenging times. I’m so grateful to have her and would highly recommend her to anyone!”
HELess than 1 month ago
“She was kind, upfront, and very funny which made her easy to talk to and be real with about my issues. I didn't feel judged in any capacity either. Highly recommend checking her out. ”
Isabella B.May 18, 2026
About Nicole Gaither
Focus areas
EMDR Therapy
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Couples
Seniors (65+)
Families
Treatment approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Dialectical (DBT)
Adlerian
EMDR
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Family / Marital
Identity
Gender
FemaleEthnicity
White
Languages spoken
English
Getting to know Nicole Gaither
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and EMDR-trained therapist who helps adults and adolescents work through trauma, anxiety, stress, relationship concerns, and difficult life experiences. My approach is warm, collaborative, and individualized, focused on helping clients feel safe, understood, and empowered throughout the therapeutic process.
I incorporate EMDR, CBT, DBT, ACT, mindfulness, and other evidence-based approaches based on each client’s needs. I believe therapy should be a space where you can be honest without judgment while developing practical tools and a deeper understanding of yourself.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready to make a meaningful change, I’d be honored to support you.
What should a new client know about working with you?
When someone reaches out to me for the first time, they're often carrying more than just the issue they name in that first email or phone call. They're carrying the weight of having decided, finally, to ask for help — and sometimes a fair amount of uncertainty about what that help will actually look like. So before we ever get into specific techniques or approaches, I want any new client to know this: you don't have to have it figured out before you walk in. You don't need a tidy narrative, a diagnosis, or even the "right" words. You need to show up as you are, and we'll work out the rest together.
**My approach: collaborative, not prescriptive**
I don't believe therapy works well as something done "to" a client. I see it as something we build together, session by session, based on what you actually need—not a one-size-fits-all treatment plan I decided on before I met you. That means our first several sessions are less about me interrogating your history and more about us getting a real sense of each other: what's brought you here, what you've already tried, what's worked and what hasn't, and what you're hoping is different on the other side of this work.
From there, I draw on a few different frameworks depending on what fits — I'm trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma and difficult memories that seem to be stuck, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for building concrete skills around emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, and I'm a Certified Mindfulness-Informed Professional, which shapes how I help people build awareness of their present-moment experience rather than getting swept away by it. I don't force every client into the same modality. Some people need structured skill-building. Some need space to process something that happened years ago and still feels unresolved. Some need both, at different points. Part of my job is helping figure out which is which, and adjusting.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
My process usually starts with a free 15-minute consultation call, so we can get a feel for whether we're a good fit before committing to anything. If it feels right on both sides, we schedule an intake session — this first full session is where I get a fuller picture of what's brought you in, your history, what you've tried before, and what you're hoping is different. I'm not running through a rigid checklist; I want the conversation to go wherever feels most useful to you.
From there, we build a loose plan together based on what you actually need — some clients want structured, skills-based work (drawing on DBT), some are working through something specific and stuck (where EMDR often comes in), and some need consistent space to think out loud and build self-awareness. I adjust the approach as we go rather than locking into one method from session one.
Most clients meet with me weekly, especially early on, since consistency builds momentum faster. As things stabilize, we'll often talk about spacing sessions out to every other week, and eventually tapering further if that fits your goals. I check in periodically — not just moving from session to session on autopilot — to ask directly whether the pace and approach still feel right, and whether we should shift focus.
For families and couples, the process looks a little different: we usually spend the first session or two understanding each person's perspective before settling into a regular rhythm, and I'm intentional about not letting any one person's narrative dominate the work.
Therapy isn't open-ended by default in my approach — I like to periodically revisit what "progress" looks like for you, so we're not just meeting indefinitely without a sense of direction. My goal is for you to build real skills and insight you can carry forward, not to create dependency on ongoing sessions.
Nicole Gaither, LCSW is not in-network with any insurances
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Master's in Social Work
NPI number
1104694637
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
5.00
Wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
27 reviews
Most relevant
Nicole has helped me so much through some of my most challenging times. I’m so grateful to have her and would highly recommend her to anyone!
Less than 1 month agoHE
She was kind, upfront, and very funny which made her easy to talk to and be real with about my issues. I didn't feel judged in any capacity either. Highly recommend checking her out.
May 18, 2026Isabella B.Verified patient
Nicole rocks! She’s trained in IFS EMDR DBT and more. Very grounded and easy to talk to. Has helped me reframe a lot in a few sessions.
November 22, 2025Caroline T.Verified patient
Very good therapist for depression
Less than 1 year agoML
I've been thinking of what to say of Nicole for sometime after wanting to post a review. She is without a doubt an exceptional therapist and person. I hadn't heard of EMDR for trauma work before Nicole. We have used this process successfully with each new session. If you're looking for a therapist in Chicago, look no further.
Less than 1 year agoZM
I usually don't leave reviews but I made a special exception for Nicole. She is an exceptionally kind, insightful, empathetic therapist for treatment with ADHD and the trauma/PTSD that so often accompanies it. A true blessing to me and my family.
Less than 1 year agoSC
THANK YOU Nicole! I never heard of EMDR for trauma therapy before working with Nicole even though I had seen other therapists in Chicago and throughout Illinois. I followe my curiosity and am glad I did, session after session I can feel the weight of my past relationship drama fading.
More than 1 year agoDB
Nicole has been my therapist since I first moved to Chicago and then around Illinois. I've been very happy with her treatment and can say with confidence that you will be happy too. Trauma isn't just a run of the mill diagnosis for her; she looks beyond the symptoms to find core causes. I'm happy we met and plan on seeing her as long as I can!
More than 1 year agoMJ
As a long time client, I have had the benefit of working one on one with Nicole for some time to help in my management of trauma using EMDR. I m happy to say that each session helps keep the scaries at bay. I was able to get back to work and be present with my family. One step at a time but I'm confident each one will be better than the last.
More than 1 year agoSJ
Good therapist for couples
More than 1 year agoMR
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
July 14, 2026Ashley K.Verified patient
January 4, 2026Angela C.Verified patient
December 18, 2025Sean T.Verified patient
Less than 1 year agoAM
Less than 1 year agoDAH
Less than 1 year agoDR
Less than 1 year agoTA
More than 1 year agoKT
More than 1 year agoAO
How soon can I make an appointment with Nicole Gaither?
Generally, Nicole Gaither has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Nicole Gaither's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Nicole Gaither accepting new patients?
Nicole Gaither generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Nicole Gaither's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Nicole Gaither accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Nicole Gaither is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Nicole Gaither online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Nicole Gaither using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Nicole Gaither work with?
Nicole Gaither works with Nicole Gaither.
What are common reasons for patients to see Nicole Gaither?
Nicole Gaither frequently sees patients for New Patient Visit, Pain Management Consultation, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Nicole Gaither on their profile.
What languages does Nicole Gaither speak?
Nicole Gaither speaks English.
How do patients rate Nicole Gaither in reviews?
25 patients have reviewed Nicole Gaither. The overall rating for this doctor is 5/5. They have a 5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.