​​Nicole is LGPC working under the supervision of Elizabeth Higdon, LCSW-C. 

Nicole considers each new client an honor to meet and is humbled to hear their stories. She is a firm believer that she is not the expert in the counseling relationship – YOU are. She has worked hard to develop clinically effective skills & tools but insists that you know yourself better than anyone else ever could. Self-efficacy, or the belief that you can do The Big Thing™, is the name of the game when it comes to your counseling relationship. Nicole relies on lots of fun, creative, and evidence-based strategies to help you find a more grounded place in your life. She incorporates elements of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, CBT, ACT, Emotionally-Focused/Attachment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing when appropriate. 

Nicole has experience in partnering with people as they manage anxiety and depression, make career decisions, create meaningful relationships, heal core wounds, and navigate the general ups-and-downs of life. Her style is warm, authentic, “no-nonsense” when you need it to be, comforting when you don’t – and humbled by your life experiences always. She has experience in working with older adolescents, adults, and couples. 

Nicole comes to Anchor Counseling Centers with over 10 years of experience in the Human Services and Education fields. Originally from Alabama, she graduated with her MS in Counseling and Educational Development in 2015 from UNC Greensboro, with a clinical specialization in College Counseling & Student Development in Higher Education. She has worked in various functional areas within higher education, as well as in the nonprofit world. She is a parent, spouse, Ted Lasso fan & cheese enthusiast. When she’s not seeing clients, you can find her chasing her kids, knitting, drinking hot tea, or listening to historical fiction audiobooks (and sometimes all of the above).​

Email: nicolewatts.counseling@gmail.com
Phone: ‪(240) 397-8233
​https://doxy.me/nicolewattscounseling