Nicole Handsman, MSW, LCSW-A

Nicole Handsman is an animal lover, whose lifelong passion is to empower women and girls to connect to their hearts and unlock their unlimited brilliance. Her expertise lies in relationship based therapy, experiential therapy including trauma-focused equine assisted psychotherapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. She has 10+ years working as a clinical therapist in a variety of settings including in-home, school-based, private practice and her all-time favorite, in the pasture. She loves building connections, navigating complex situations, and employing empathy and active listening to empower clients, establish mindfulness and increase emotional regulation skills.

Nicole received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. She then received her masters degree in clinical social work with a certificate in animal assisted therapy. She graduated with her therapy dog, Elvis, from the University of Denver. Nicole believes in the transformative power of the human-animal bond and is excited to bring her enthusiasm, compassion and playfulness to the children and families of Solstice East!