Nicole Wong, LCSW

Hello! My name is Nicole Wong (she/her) and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York’s Hudson Valley. I offer therapy to help adults, adolescents, and children heal from trauma, overcome anxiety, and relinquish their self-doubt. Your voice deserves to be heard and listened to. I appreciate the opportunity to engage in this therapeutic process with you.

My work with you will involve helping you find practical tools as well as spending time addressing deeper wounds and emotions. My goal is to help you reclaim control of your story, develop new ways to cope, and cultivate a greater sense of agency in your life.

In my work, I provide trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-centered therapy to my clients, while integrating an empathic, intersectional, and holistic approach. My practice is grounded in allowing my clients to explore all aspects of their identities while working through their life experiences. It is important to me that you are in control of your therapeutic process and that our work together is collaborative in its approach and catered to meet your needs and goals.

Prior to my transition to being a therapist, I worked for ten years in trauma and anti-violence, university administration, and nonprofit management. For most of my professional career, I have helped individuals heal from trauma and loss and advocated for survivors in their communities. My foundations in trauma-informed approaches and advocacy remain a strong tenet of my work with clients today.

I earned my Masters of Science degree in Social Work at Columbia University in Advanced Clinical Practice with a focus on Health, Mental Health, and Disabilities. Previously, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and English from Vassar College.

  • Licensed in New York: 098256

  • Masters of Science in Social Work, Columbia University

  • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology & English, Vassar College

  • Board of Directors, New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault

  • Board of Directors, Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse

  • Board Member, Marist College Social Work Advisory Board

  • Adjunct Faculty Member, Adelphi University School of Social Work

  • Live Support Specialist, Columbia University School of Social Work

  • Member, National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

  • Member, Network for Social Work Managers (NSWM)

Techniques & Modalities

In our work together, I aim to help you gain insight into yourself and tap into your inner well of resilience and strength. My approach is warm, encouraging, and non-judgmental while we explore the issues you may be struggling with.

I draw heavily from cognitive behavioral therapy and insight-oriented therapy (psychodynamic) to help us focus on deeper wounds and underlying patterns.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy focused on addressing the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may be contributing to anxious or depressive symptoms. Through compassionate and supportive care, I hope to create a safe space for you to feel comfortable in starting the process of examining and re-evaluating old thought patterns that may be impacting your life in the present.

Insight-oriented therapy is based on the belief that through increased consciousness, we can create new life experiences. This therapeutic approach involves the therapist and client exploring and gaining a better understanding of how feelings, beliefs, actions, and events from the past may be influencing our current mindset and circumstances. The goal of insight-oriented therapy is to empower you with a sense of clarity so that you have the freedom to make new, adaptive, and healthier choices that support your continued growth.

Publications, Invited Presentations, & Awards

    • Wong, N. (2023, April 28). Finding Your Wise Mind: The Balance Between Emotional and Reasonable Mind. Invited Workshop Facilitator for the Consortium on High Achievement and Success Professional Development Meeting at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY.

    • Wong, N. (2023, April 12). AAPI Alums & Friends Panel. Invited panelist for Vassar College’s Center for Career Education Alumni Series, Poughkeepsie, NY.

    • Wong, N. (2022, November 2). Dean’s Coffee Chat: Online Campus Brief Introduction to CSSW’s Online Campus. Invited panelist for the Columbia School of Social Work Admissions Online Campus Webinar, online via Zoom.

    • Wong, N. (2020, June 22). Live Support Specialist: Nicole Wong `19, MSW. Invited panelist for the Columbia School of Social Work Institute on Pedagogy & Technology for Online Courses, online via Adobe Connect.

    • Wong, N. (2020, June 11). Perspectives from a Recent Online Campus Alum: Nicole Wong `19, MSSW. Invited panelist for the Columbia School of Social Work Admissions Online Campus Webinar, online via Zoom.

    • Wong, N. (2019, November 16). Major Palooza: Sociology & Women’s Studies Panel. Invited panelist for Vassar College’s Center for Career Education, Poughkeepsie, NY.

    • Wong, N. (2019, July 8). Online Campus Alumni: Nicole Wong `19, MSSW. Invited panelist for the Columbia School of Social Work Institute on Pedagogy & Technology for Online Courses, online via Adobe Connect.

    • Wong, N. (2019, September 13). Title IX and Sexual Assault. Invited panelist at the Explorations in Social Justice Conference at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY.

    • Wong, N. (2019, April 8). I Ask, They Answer: Consent Discussion Panel. Invited panelist at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY.

    • Feldman, L., Mark, J., Walraven, J., & Wong, N. (2017, October 10). Responding to Domestic Violence in Dutchess County: High Risk Initiatives of our Coordinated Community Response. Presentation for the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Albany, NY.

    • Wong, N. (2016, January 22-24). Sophomore Career Connections: Non-Profit/Social Justice Panel. Invited panelist for Vassar College’s Center for Career Education, Poughkeepsie, NY.

    • Individual Award (2023): The Chamber Foundation, Inc., 17th Annual Athena International Award.

    • Team Award (2023): UPCEA Outstanding Program Award, Noncredit category, for the Columbia University School of Social Work Institute on Pedagogy and Technology for Online Courses

    • Team Award (2022): Chief Learning Officer Magazine, Learning in Practice Award, Talent Management Award, Bronze Award, Division 2 category, for the Columbia University School of Social Work's Institute on Technical Skills for Online Event Production.

    • Individual Award (2021): Quality Progress, 40 Under 40 Quality Professionals Award.

    • Team Award (2020): Chief Learning Officer Magazine, Learning in Practice Award, Business Impact Award, Bronze Award, Division 2 category, for the Columbia University School of Social Work Institute on Pedagogy and Technology for Online Courses.