Maria L. Nickell, MA, LPC

The L.E.A.D. therapeutic approach is based on four components: Love, Empathy, Awareness and Direction. This is the foundation of my practice and how I engage with people to cultivate permanent changes in their lives.

What does this look like?

LOVE: Jesus said to love others as He loved us (John 15:12-13). Jesus' love for humanity is not a feeling, but an action. He looks beyond what is being presented to the person underneath and forms the person while challenging the behavior. Love is both grace and accountability.

EMPATHY: Teresa Wiseman states there are four characteristics of empathy: perspective taking, staying out of judgement, recognizing the emotions of others and communicating your understanding of those emotions. Empathy is about connecting with people and not leaving them alone in their pain.

AWARENESS: This is the ah-ha moment that changes the way information is understood and how decisions are made. Without awareness, people cannot see beyond their circumstances to what life could be like leaving them feeling stuck in their patterns and perceptions.

DIRECTION: "Change is inevitable. Change will always happen, but you have to apply direction to change, and that is when it's progress." - Doug Baldwin
Finding direction is about being intentional in your healing process and learning who you're traveling with, God.
Finding 
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, my calling is to facilitate change through loving people as Jesus did, sitting with people in their pain and confusion, cultivating awareness and supporting Godly direction.