Octave
Nicole Barksdale avatar
LCSWshe/her

Nicole Barksdale

VirtualHigh Satisfaction Rate

11 years of experience

Verified by Octave
In California
Accepting 8 Insurance providers

Meet Nicole

I have experience with trauma, abuse, and the juvenile and adult justice systems. Choosing a therapist can feel like a difficult task, so I wanted to tell you a little about myself to help you decide if I would be a good fit for you. I’ve been providing psychotherapy for a wide range of issues and populations for the last 10 years. For the first few years of my clinical career, I worked with children and families both in the office and on school campuses. I would describe my therapeutic approach as goal-oriented and client-centered. Treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion is at the forefront of my practice. My counseling style is a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, among others. My goal in therapy is to create a safe space, free from judgment or rejection, for you to explore any challenges you may be facing and help you find new skills to deal with them. I know how hard it is to find a therapist that you feel comfortable with and I applaud you for taking the first step. I would be honored to work with you.

My goal in therapy is to create a safe space for you to explore any challenges you may be facing and help you find new skills to deal with them.

Communication Style

  • Affirming
  • Authentic
  • Empowering
  • Holistic
  • Solution-oriented

Specialties & Approaches

Specialties

Experienced with

  • BIPOC
  • Black community
  • Parents
  • First responders
  • Students

Approach

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  • Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Solution-Focused

Licensed In

Locations

Virtual appointments available for California residents

Good to know

Session Details

Practices in

Languages

Credentials & Verification

Verified by Octave

License number

Education

Nicole Barksdale, Licensed Clinical Social Worker License #79968 (exp October 2027)

Calculate Cost & Insurance

$28

/ session on average with insurance

Frequently asked questions

Nicole Barksdale accepts Aetna, Cigna Healthcare/Evernorth, Health Net, Anthem Blue Cross of CA, Out-of-State BlueCard PPO, Centivo, Prime Health, and Blue Shield of California. Octave clients pay an average of $28 per session through insurance, and more than 95% pay less than $45 per session. Your exact cost depends on your plan’s copay or deductible. You can use the cost estimator to see what you would pay before your first session. If you would rather pay out of pocket, self-pay sessions in California are estimated at $205-250 per session.

Nicole Barksdale is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Nicole is licensed to practice in California, so clients located in California can book sessions. Nicole’s California license number is 79968, and you can look it up through the state licensing board. Octave verifies every therapist’s license before they begin seeing clients, and licenses are kept current as a condition of practicing with Octave.

Nicole Barksdale has been practicing therapy for 11 years. Nicole’s education and training include MSW - Social Work, California State University, Fresno. Over that time, Nicole has worked closely with BIPOC, Black community, Parents, First responders, and Students. Octave therapists average more than a decade of experience, and Nicole is part of that group.

Nicole Barksdale works with BIPOC, Black community, Parents, First responders, and Students and specializes in Anxiety, Burnout, Cultural Issues/Racial Stress, Depression, Family Conflict, Life Transitions, Relationship Concerns, Stress, Women's Issues, and Workplace Stress. These are the areas where Nicole spends most of their clinical time. If the concern you want help with isn’t listed here, a Care Navigator can tell you whether Nicole is a good fit or match you with another Octave therapist who specializes in it.

Nicole Barksdale draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused. In sessions, Nicole’s style is affirming, authentic, empowering, holistic, and solution-oriented. In Nicole’s words: “My goal in therapy is to create a safe space for you to explore any challenges you may be facing and help you find new skills to deal with them.”

Nicole Barksdale (she/her) offers therapy in English. Nicole identifies as Black.

Nicole Barksdale offers online sessions over secure video, so you can meet from home or any private space. Nicole is licensed in California, and you need to be located in that state at the time of each session. All you need is a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.

Your first session with Nicole Barksdale is a chance to talk through what brought you to therapy and what you want to work on. Nicole will ask about your background, your current concerns, and your goals, and together you will start shaping a plan for your sessions. It is also a chance to see whether Nicole’s style feels like a good fit for you. After their first session, 9 in 10 Octave clients say their therapy experience has been good or better.

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Ready to start with Nicole?

Most new clients have their first session within a week. You can change therapists at any time, at no cost.