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Nicole Knowlton

Nicole Knowlton

Specialties and Certifications

  • Neurodiverse Individual Specialist

  • Neurodiverse Parenting Specialist

  • Neurodiverse Couples Specialist

  • Autism & ADHD Assessment Specialist

  • Neurodiverse Assessment Specialist

  • Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

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Life Experience

  • Nicole was in a long-term relationship where neurodiversity was present.

  • Nicole is a parent of a neurodivergent child and has navigated the educational battles both as a parent and a legal advocate to obtain IEP and 504 plans, and understands the unique family environment needed to help families to support each other.


Education

  • Undergraduate degree in Business

  • Double Master’s degree in Psychology and Alternate Dispute Resolution

  • Juris Doctorate degree

 

More about Nicole

Nicole is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a mother of two teenagers. In addition to her couples therapy and coaching, Nicole has a mediation private practice in Irvine, California. She also facilitates Batterer’s Intervention Groups, teaches parenting and anger management groups, and helps clients and families combat addiction. Nicole has worked in County Health, non-profit, the court system and has been a clinician and advocate since 2004.

Nicole’s Story

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CHILDHOOD

 

Ever since childhood I knew I was different. I didn’t enjoy the same things as my female peers yet I yearned to be included. I had an older sister and looked to her to guide me. I mimicked her and my female peers. Yet, left to my own decision-making I would gladly go days without bathing, brushing my hair or changing out of my favorite comfy clothes. My very first word was ‘book’ and my ideal relaxation place has always been in a library reading and learning information about psychology, behavior and the law.

 

MASKING

 

To blend in with others, like many other Aspie women, I have masked. I became a fashionista and memorized Emily Post books. I obtained a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy & Conflict Resolution. I even attended law school. I learned about how neurotypical people navigated life, relationships, and conflict. I’ve learned how to blend in and go undetected, much to my detriment. Since youth I’ve had bouts of suicidal ideation because I felt so disconnected and received many different mental health diagnoses that didn’t fit or help.

 

​AUTISM DISCOVERY

 

Not until my 40's did I learn I am autistic. Female symptomology looks much different than it does in males. We tend to have a specific image of what being on the spectrum looks like and so many of us do not fit that image; yet, we are autistic.

 

Learning about my diagnosis has been life changing and I finally comfortably fit into my own skin. “Coming out” has answered so many questions and allowed me to live authentically. I’ve had friends reach out who have struggled similarly or saw signs in their daughters and we all deserve to feel comfortable and live authentically, embracing our differences. ​

 

INVITATION

 

Please allow me to help you. I promise I will be compassionate and understanding. You deserve to experience the same healing that I have had. I look forward to hearing from you.

Main Areas of Focus

 

Neurodiverse Couples 

 

Nicole was in a long-term relationship where neurodiversity was present. Nicole understands and believes that it is vital to identify solid communication strategies between partners, using specific techniques for handling relationship troubles, whether perpetual or solvable. 

 

These techniques encourage the understanding that emotions are important, there is no absolute reality, only two subjective ones, acceptance is crucial, and a development of fondness and admiration within the relationship. Nicole encourages couples to celebrate the small steps towards a larger goal and helps keep focus on what the couple can do to set themselves up to thrive. 

 

Assessments

 

Nicole began conducting assessments in 2006 as a graduate assistant for the Chapman University MFT Program, under the advisement and oversight of Dr. Ron Scott, who managed the program’s psychological assessment curriculum and pioneered the first LGBTQ student and faculty group in Orange County and within the faith-based, highly conservative university. Nicole helped train her peers in the administration of assessments, administered them for the Chapman Community Clinic, Orange County Healthy Care Agency, Cliffside Malibu rehabilitation program, and has integrated the use of these various tools in the majority of her clinical work.

 

Nicole is uniquely able to help adult clients identify possible neurodivergence due to her own journey in finding out that she is on the spectrum and has ADHD. Nicole has found tremendous benefit in obtaining a formal diagnosis because it has enabled her to help gain a better understanding of herself, her history, family members, and in developing a more manageable life path forward to better succeed in life. Nicole offers coaching, resources and support during the assessment process and for clients looking to continue therapy services. Nicole specializes in providing long-term individual, couples and family therapy to neurodivergent individuals.

Other Areas of Focus
 

  • Addiction

  • Anger Management

  • Major Life Transition Support, co-parenting, blended families, separation/divorce

  • Parent Coaching

  • Sex Therapy​

  • Employment Coaching

  • Life Skills Coaching

Clients
 

  • Individuals

  • Couples

  • Families

Modalities

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  • Coaching

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

  • Gottman Method

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

  • Strength-Based

  • Structural Family Therapy

Licenses

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  • Registered Associate, AMFT# 122657

  • Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452

  • Employed by New Path Couples Therapy Inc.

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