Courtney Nelson, LICSW

Therapist · Rhode Island · 22+ years of experience

Steady, practical support for life transitions

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Client-centered approach
Focus on midlife change
Practical coping skills

About Courtney

Courtney Nelson is a Rhode Island licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) with 22 years of professional experience. She focuses on helping people who are overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief, and major life changes. Her style is warm and respectful, and she aims to make first steps feel manageable for someone who is worried or unsure.

Courtney adapts sessions to each person's needs. She listens first, then works with clients to build a plan that fits their goals and day-to-day life. She uses straightforward methods aimed at reducing anxiety, improving confidence, and coping with loss or difficult transitions like midlife shifts.

Courtney draws on conversational, goal-focused approaches that emphasize clearer thinking and practical steps. She also uses narrative techniques to help people make sense of their stories and motivational interviewing to support change when readiness is mixed. Sessions are collaborative and paced to what each person can handle.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGrief Self esteem Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problems Divorce and separationFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / loneliness Life purpose Midlife crisis Money and financial issues Mood disordersNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues Workplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

22+ years

Credentials

Rhode Island

Languages

English

Approaches that translate to online work

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice unhelpful thinking patterns and try different behaviors. It is practical and often uses exercises between sessions to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person's experience without judgment. This approach helps people feel heard and supported while they figure out next steps.

Deciding which approach to use is part of the first sessions. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped before. Together they will trial methods and adjust over time so the work suits the client's pace and priorities.

If you are considering online therapy, check the available session options before booking to confirm how sessions are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, shorten commute time, and provide a quieter setting when that helps focus. It can also allow shorter check-ins or flexible scheduling to maintain momentum between in-person options. The therapist will discuss practical arrangements and how to shape sessions so they best support your goals.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she help with?

Courtney helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, self-esteem struggles, and major life changes. She also addresses related issues like caregiver stress, chronic illness, family problems, and midlife crisis.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

She practices a respectful, client-centered style that focuses on listening and collaboration. Sessions combine goal-focused techniques and narrative work to make practical progress.

What is her professional background?

She has 22 years of clinical experience in Rhode Island working with a range of emotional and life challenges. That experience shapes a steady, pragmatic way of working with clients.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She holds a Rhode Island LICSW and practices in Rhode Island.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does she work with clients outside the United States?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin a course of therapy?

Click the Start Therapy button, fill out a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a time based on the therapist's availability.