Clinical Background & Training
A foundation in psychology, community mental health, somatic psychotherapy, attachment, and contextual behavioral science.
My work has developed through more than two decades of studying psychology and human experience, nearly a decade in community behavioral health and outpatient mental health and addiction treatment, graduate education in clinical mental health counseling, and extensive specialization in somatic, developmental, relational, and values-oriented approaches to psychotherapy.
My clinical practice is centered in somatic psychotherapy and shaped by advanced study in Somatic Experiencing®, attachment and developmental trauma through the Transforming the Experience-Based Brain® model, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Contextual Behavioral Science.
These approaches help me consider the whole person, including bodily experience, nervous-system regulation, attachment, protective responses, emotion, language, behavior, meaning, values, relationships, culture, and the wider circumstances of a person’s life.
Education, Licensure, and Professional Credentials
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the State of Ohio. My clinical education and professional experience include counseling, diagnosis and treatment planning, crisis intervention, community psychiatric support, addiction treatment, group facilitation, advocacy, ethics, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary coordination.
Univeristy of Dayton
Master of Science in Education
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
2015
My graduate program emphasized compassion, mindfulness, cultural awareness, ethics, clinical assessment, counseling theory, human development, and the relational and social contexts that influence mental health.
The Ohio State University
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
2008
I began studying psychology at Ohio State in 2003. My interests included psychobiology, creativity, consciousness, identity, perception, behavior, and the relationship between mind, body, culture, and human experience.
Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner
I completed the full three-year, eight-module Somatic Experiencing Professional Training Program from 2016 through 2018 and earned the Somatic Experiencing Practitioner credential in 2018. Since 2020, I have continued returning to the professional curriculum as a training assistant across multiple levels of the program.
Transforming Touch® Therapist
I completed the full Transforming the Experience-Based Brain® training sequence twice with Stephen J. Terrell, PsyD, SEP, first through live online training focused on Transforming Presence and non-touch applications, and later in person with Transforming Touch®.
Community Resiliency Model® Teacher
I completed both the Community Resiliency Model® Guide Course and CRM® Teacher Training, focused on accessible, biologically informed skills for recognizing stress responses, supporting regulation, and building resilience.
Clinical Experience
Nicholas Bolton Counseling, LLC
Founder and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
2017–Present
I provide somatic psychotherapy and mental health counseling to clients in Columbus and throughout Ohio through secure online sessions.
My work includes support for trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, depression, grief, dissociation, attachment and relationship patterns, developmental trauma, medical trauma, boundaries, emotional regulation, and a wide range of life concerns.
Since beginning private practice, I have provided more than 10,000 psychotherapy sessions in private practice alone.
Legacy Freedom Treatment Center
Licensed Professional Counselor and Lead Clinician
2017–2018
I provided individual and group counseling within an outpatient mental health and addiction-treatment setting. The program used a holistic, client-centered approach and worked with individuals, couples, and families.
North Central Mental Health Services
Community Behavioral Health Roles
2009–2017
My work at North Central Mental Health Services developed across several positions and gave me experience with direct care, counseling, crisis response, client advocacy, ethics, quality systems, organizational leadership, and community resources.
Roles included:
Licensed Professional Counselor | 2016–2017
Counselor Intern and Practicum Student | 2014–2015
Client Rights Officer and Quality Improvement Assistant Director | 2012–2016
Case Manager and Qualified Mental Health Specialist | 2009–2012
What Community Behavioral Health Taught Me
Before moving more fully into private practice, I spent nearly a decade working across community behavioral health and outpatient mental health and addiction treatment.
These experiences taught me that emotional well-being cannot be separated from relationships, health, family, housing, finances, access to care, institutional systems, community resources, culture, and the practical realities of daily life.
This background continues to shape the way I work today. I try to understand symptoms within the larger context of the person’s life rather than reducing someone to a diagnosis or isolated clinical concern.
This background continues to shape my attention to:
Advocacy and client rights
Ethical responsibility
Cultural humility
Crisis support
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Community resources
Respect for the person receiving care
Experience at a Glance
Since 2003
Studying psychology, human experience, language, culture, meaning, and the nature of the self.
2009-2017
Nearly a decade in community behavioral health and outpatient mental health and addiction treatment.
Since 2017
Providing psychotherapy through Nicholas Bolton Counseling.
10,000+
Psychotherapy sessions provided in private practice alone.
Thousands of Hours
Advanced training, consultation, training assistance, personal experiential work, mentorship, and continuing education.
Advanced Study and Clinical Focus
Ongoing Consultation and Experiential Learning
My professional development has continued far beyond the completion of formal certificate programs.
I participate in regular case consultation, practitioner groups, live clinical demonstrations, advanced education, training assistance, and personal experiential work.
Experiencing the work personally matters to me. Somatic and attachment-focused psychotherapy asks people to enter vulnerable territory involving trust, sensation, support, protection, boundaries, closeness, and choice. Continuing to receive the work helps me remain connected with the experience of the person on the other side of the therapeutic relationship.
Across formal training, training assistance, continuing education, consultation, personal experiential work, and advanced study, I have completed thousands of hours of somatic and trauma-focused professional development.
My consultation and professional learning have included work with:
Abi Blakeslee
Linda Stelte
Berns Galloway
Raja Selvam
Russell Jones
Twig Wheeler
Stephen J. Terrell
Alicen Halquist
Glyndie Nickerson
Additional somatic and trauma-focused teachers and practitioners
Ethics and Professional Practice
Trauma, attachment, and body-oriented psychotherapy involve significant responsibility.
I complete ongoing education in professional ethics, risk management, legal and regulatory standards, confidentiality, HIPAA, telehealth, digital privacy and security, professional boundaries, suicide assessment, clinical supervision, cultural responsiveness, touch-based psychotherapy, ongoing informed consent, scope of competence, consultation, and referral.
I understand consent as an active and continuing process. Clients may pause, decline, redirect, or change their minds about an intervention. This is especially important whenever movement, physical proximity, table work, or therapeutic touch is considered.
Responsible practice also includes recognizing when medical care, another clinical specialty, consultation, or interdisciplinary support is needed.