Nicole Smith, LPCMH

Owner & Founder

Choosing a therapist is personal. You're trusting someone with parts of your life that you may not share with anyone else. I don't take that responsibility lightly.

I'm Nicole Smith, a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH) and the founder of Riverfront Counseling. For more than 18 years, I've worked with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, and the everyday stress of trying to hold everything together.

People often ask what my approach is, and my answer is simple: radical honesty with genuine compassion.

I believe lasting change begins when we're willing to be honest with ourselves—without shame or judgment. Therapy isn't about fixing what's "wrong" with you. It's about understanding yourself more deeply, recognizing the patterns that may no longer serve you, and building the confidence and skills to create a life that feels more aligned with who you are.

If we work together, I'll meet you with warmth, curiosity, authenticity, and respect. I'll listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and gently challenge the beliefs or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck. I'll celebrate your wins, support you through setbacks, and create a space where you feel safe enough to be completely yourself.

One of the things I value most is creating a space where you don't have to perform. You don't have to have the right words. You don't have to convince me your struggles are "bad enough." You get to show up exactly as you are.

I don't believe people are broken. I believe people adapt. Many of the ways we cope today once helped us survive difficult experiences. Together, we'll figure out which of those strategies still serve you and which ones are ready to be replaced with healthier, more intentional ways of living.

I don't measure success by how long someone stays in therapy. I measure it by how much they grow. Some clients come to me for support during a specific chapter of life, while others continue our work together over many years. Whatever the timeline, my goal is to help you become more confident, more self-aware, and better equipped to navigate life's challenges.

Outside of work, I'm happiest spending time with family. They remind me daily of the importance of connection, presence, and making time for the people who matter most.

Whether you're considering therapy for the first time or returning after a break, I hope you'll find Riverfront Counseling to be a place where you feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to grow, and challenged enough to create meaningful, lasting change.