Therapists in Gramercy, LA

I see counseling as a process in which you the client, and I, the counselor, having come to understand and trust one another, work as a team to explore and define present problem situations, develop future goals for an improved life and work in a systematic fashion toward realizing those goals. I focus on clients self-awareness, self-acceptance, and empower them to change self-sabotaging behaviors. I earned a Master of Arts degree in Student Personnel Services, Counseling from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in May 2011 and a Doctor of Behavioral Health from Arizona State University in December 2017. I am licensed as a Professional Counselor (#5115) with the Louisiana LPC Board of Examiners at 11410 Lake Sherwood Ave. North Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, (225) 295-8444. On May 12, 2020, I became licensed as a Professional Counselor (#83930) by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors in Austin, Texas. On March 25, 2022, I became licensed as a Professional Counselor (#C6691) by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OBLPCT) in Salem, Oregon. I do not keep separate progress notes or personal information about Betterhelp clients. I do write a 'RECAP' of the session in the message board on each client's portal so that all sessions are documented and those documents are available to the client at login to their Betterhelp account. Clients have the ability to access, save, and keep a record of all information.

My former principal once described me as a “natural born” teacher. Over the years, I have grown to love the process of acquiring knowledge, researching information, developing presentation policies, implementing programs, and initiating quality improvement initiatives. Because of this, my long-term goal is one affect change on a macro level. However, currently, I am in the process of fulfilling a goal that stems from a lifelong passion of mine that involves working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, substance abuse, and intellectual impairments. My overall goal is to assist individuals within this population with maximizing their ability to live, socialize, learn, and work in communities of their choice. To achieve efficient outcomes, it is important for me to develop a strong clinical foundation. This was my rationale for completing the MSW program and engaging in the process to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. Over the years, I have become extremely efficient in developing, implementing, and providing oversight and monitoring of social policies and programs. As a result, I have obtained a multifunctional leadership skill set that include a copious amount of knowledge that is directly related to mental health and psychiatric programs. This information is valuable to oversee the daily and fiscal operations of programs in a competent manner. My ability to initiate entrepreneurial social-service start-ups and propel them to midsize companies has been proven by my dynamic record of accomplishment. My program development and implementation skills have proven to be valuable on my journey to becoming a self-regulating change agent. This was beneficial when I began the process of opening MHP Human Services, Inc. Past Academic and Professional Experiences My undergraduate studies were in Criminal Justice, which led to the beginning of my career in the human service field. Initially, I worked for the Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer and later becoming an Intermediate level Probation and Parole Officer. During my tenure as a Probation and Parole Officer, I was promoted to oversee the Drug Treatment Court program. My compassion to serve individuals sparked my decision to further my education in the human service field, which, led to my pursuit to obtain a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education, which launched my career as a licensed elementary school teacher. The opportunity to work with children from diverse populations with various learning needs was a rewarding experience that caused me to want to work directly with families in their home and community. This prompted me to obtain part-time employment as a paraprofessional and later a qualified professional. Eventually, this opportunity led to my first entrepreneurial endeavor, A+ Absolute Care, Inc. This private agency provided outpatient and community-based services to children, adolescents, and adults with mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders, and intellectual impairments. As a business owner, it was a necessary for me to acquire knowledge of business and accounting practices, which led to my obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and later Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. The combination of education and experience allowed me to develop and implement policies, procedures, programs, business, strategic, and risk management plans for the purpose of operating a business and meeting local, state, and national accreditation standards. Unfortunately, I soon learned that a solid foundation of business practices and principles was not enough to ensure that the individuals that I served were receiving quality treatment and yielding positive outcomes. To ensure quality assurance and improvement for the services that my agency was providing it was important for me to further my clinical knowledge, which led to my pursuit of a Master is Social Work (MSW). After obtaining my MSW, I began the process to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. Currently, I am enrolled in a Doctorate in Social Worker (DSW) at University of Southern California. Innovation and Creativity Over the past years, I have been able to develop and implement numerous programs that provide services to individuals from diverse cultures and socio-economic programs. Not only did I develop policies and procedures, implement, monitor, and provide oversight of programs, I also provided direct care and therapeutic services to individuals served. As an African American, female providing service to individuals from cultural backgrounds and ethnicities different from my own it is vital that I incorporate strategies and techniques that promote trust and rapport building. To achieve this, I tailored each individual treatment process and use a variety of evidence -based practices such as Cognitive Behavior, Motivational Interviewing, and Problem Solving techniques to increase treatment effectiveness. Because of the diversity of the population that I provide community-based services, it is pertinent that principles relating to the Ecosystem perspective are implemented. In addition, the treatment planning process has to be individualized, and it is vital that I take into consideration the individual served and his or her environment. When developing the treatment plan, innovation and creativity are necessary for identifying the individual served strengths and use these strengths to empower him or her during the treatment process. In addition, during the treatment process, it is pertinent that I consider psychological and sociological theoretical underpinnings that explain causal factors for social and personal behavior deficits. As mentioned previously, the primary population that I provide services to is individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Many of these individuals experience extreme difficulty coping and managing psychiatric symptoms. Because the psychotic symptoms associated with their illness is often ongoing, it may be difficult to motivate individuals to comply with treatment recommendations, medication regimens, or tasks to meet their daily needs. Because the outcome of treatment non-compliance can be severe, as a clinician I have to engage in strategies and techniques that are innovative and creative to develop a positive rapport and find ways to motivate the individual to adhere to treatment recommendations. This often requires me to use a team approach and collaborate with other stakeholders, natural and professional supports to encourage the individual to engage in goal-oriented tasks. In addition, because of the needs of individuals within population change consistently, engaging in ongoing symptom monitoring and management of individuals within this population is also important. Because as these individuals need changes, so does the need for clinicians to use creative and innovative strategies to motivate compliance increases. Individuals with SMPI also experience crisis at increase and frequent rates, which is another reason to employ creative and innovative techniques during the crisis response and de-escalation process. Communicate with Key Stakeholders Another task that I frequently engage in is communication and collaboration with stakeholders. These individuals include the individual served, natural and professional supports, licensed professionals, case managers, surveyors that provide oversight and monitoring, and members of the community. As a clinician, it is instrumental for me to provide case management services to individuals that I serve to assist them with improving functioning in various life domains and as a preventive measure. One way to achieve this is to collaborate with community agencies and external resources, which strengthens the individual served treatment outcomes. Often alternate treatment providers including natural, professional, and community resources are needed to achieve positive outcomes. This also requires me to engage in activities to coordinate collaborative preventive efforts by contacting these agencies and linking the individual served to alternative treatment resources. As a result of ongoing collaboration with alternate resources, the I am able to develop community partnerships with internal and external resources. Lead and Manage Teams In the past and in my current position, my leadership skills have allowed me to conceive and execute goal-driven strategies that create a branded platform for growth. I led three agencies from start-up mental health to serving a multi-facet population that provides an array of services to individuals diagnosed with mental health and developmental disabilities in multiple locations throughout the state. The leadership role required me to spearhead continuous process improvements across all specialized services, human resources, and administration. The outcome of processes yielded an increase in revenue, improved quality metrics, improved profit margin, reduced costs, and increased net profit of service-delivery operations for all agencies. My skill set includes the following: Strategy/Mission & Vision Planning Organizational Design Grant Writing, Oversight, and Implementation Financial Risk Management Structured Finance & Securitized Debt Service Delivery Architecture Quality Assurance and Improvement Corporate Compliance Business & Service Delivery Development Human Resource and Staff Development New Service Launch Collaborate with Communities and Professional Networks As a clinician and business owner, it is vital that I build strong community partnerships with other professionals and members of the community. My agency provides residential and outpatient services to individuals with SMPI. Because of this, I communicate daily with members of the professional community to ensure that individuals that I serve are receiving the most clinically effective service. Also, my agency is licensed by the state, therefore; I receive ongoing auditing and monitoring from local and state entities. These organizations include Department of Social Services, pharmacy, psychiatrist, hospitals, inpatient psychiatric facilities, law enforcement, fire marshal, code enforcement, and other entities. Professional Interest I have spent my entire professional career, which spans over 20 years working in the human service field. My professional goals involve advocating and developing policies and programs that will provide adequate residential services and outpatient treatment to individuals with SPMI. Long-term goals that I have developed involve affecting change from various levels.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Louisiana since 2012. I am a friendly person from a rural area with a positive attitude. My focus is on individual counseling, tackling issues including depression, anxiety, attention issues, relationship problems, communication breakdown, and even parenting struggles. As a counselor my first goal is to build rapport with each client, to work to understand the individual along with their strengths. I utilize cognitive behavior therapy, strengths perspective, and solutions focused counseling. As we focus on the root of the problem that brought the client to counseling as well as identify triggers that cause symptoms to worsen. The goal of each counseling relationship is for the individual to learn coping skills and develop confidence in addressing triggers and ultimately the root cause of the problem. It is truly an honor to be allowed into an individual’s life during a vulnerable time. I sincerely respect anyone who has made the decision to reach out to improve their mental health and would be honored to walk with you through this journey. I have a Gerontology Certificate which makes the older adult population a specialty and I have completed research regarding caring for individual with Alzheimer’s disease. For five years I worked to provide support and education to individuals with any form of dementia as well as their caregivers and healthcare professionals. I then spent two years as a medical social worker in a rural area as I worked to connect individuals with resources as well support individuals through the aging process. Now, I am devoted to individual counseling and meeting the personal needs of each client.

Welcome to the world of counseling! Ms. Nikolya T. Sparks holds a B.A. in Psychology from Grambling State University and an M.A. in Counseling & Guidance from Louisiana Tech University. Licensed as a Professional Counselor in Louisiana and Nationally Certified Counselor, Ms. Sparks is also Certified Grief Informed Professional, Complex Clinical Treatment Provider, Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Certified Advanced Grief Specialist with 30 years of clinical experience. Currently licensed in Louisiana, Ms. Sparks is here to listen, act, and provide the support you need. Contact me today to begin your journey to wellness! https://www.betterhelp.com/nikolya-sparks/ I am a native New Orleanian & proud member of the #WHODAT Nation. I encourage a healthy work-life balance & indulgence in self-care. Some of my self-care activities include prayer, journaling, spending time with my family, festivals, spoiling my two fur babies Bernie & Lady Lola, reading, planning (I’m a proud Planner Babe), traveling & serving my community. I am a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I am also mother to one son, Brian Christopher. I'm also fortunate enough to have several "bonus" kids.

I am licensed in Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, relationship issues, parenting issues, & anger management. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Louisiana with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, & anger management. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

With over 20 years of professional work experience, I am a board certified counselor in Louisiana dedicated to helping clients navigate life's myriad challenges. My expertise spans a range of issues, including relationship problems, depression, coping with life changes, and LGBTQ+ matters. I firmly believe that you are the expert of your story. Each person possesses unique strengths that can be harnessed to overcome obstacles and achieve personal growth. My role is to support and guide you in uncovering and leveraging these strengths to surmount the challenges you face. Taking the first step towards a more fulfilling and happier life requires immense courage. I am here to support you through this journey, providing a compassionate and non-judgmental environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings openly. Together, we will work towards your goals, ensuring that you feel empowered and equipped to face whatever lies ahead. If you are ready to take that courageous step, I am committed to walking alongside you, offering the expertise and support needed to achieve a more fulfilling and happier life.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, motivation, self esteem, confidence, depression, coping with life changes, & concentration, memory. I also have experience working with focus (adhd). I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Louisiana. For the past 24 years, I have worked with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, grief, loss, addiction, trauma, and coping with life stressors. I have experience working with many different diagnosis - most commonly Depression, Bipolar, PTSD, Anxiety, Substance Abuse, Personality Disorders, Schizophrenia, and many others. I have worked with adults, adolescents, and children. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!