Nicole Valentine, MSW, LISW

Contact Nicole directly at:

515-537-8255

Nicole@openheartstherapy.com

*Please note if this is a mental health emergency call 988 or 911 or go to your local emergency room.

*Initial appointments may be scheduled by emailing Info@openheartstherapy.com

My name is Nicole Valentine and I work with my therapy dog, Lucy.

I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) and I have worked as a therapist for 5 years. In all my work, I have a trauma-informed lens and a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens. I have a passion for working with anyone with trauma, children and their families, teachers and other school staff, and the LGBTQ+ community. As a member of the LGBT+ community, I am passionate about supporting those navigating these challenges.

I have a wide range of experiences working mostly with children and adults with trauma. I have training in several evidence-based practices including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Internal Family Systems (IFS), play therapy, somatic experiencing therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and Animal Assisted Therapy. 
Meeting clients where they are at and helping them get to where they want to be is the key to my work. My main modalities are EMDR, IFS, and play therapy. 

I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) and received my BA in social work from the University of Northern Iowa in 2018. I completed my graduate program at the University of Northern Iowa and earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2020.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my dog and three cats. I love cooking and I play a lot of board games and video games. My favorites are Stardew Valley, Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, and Mystic Vale.