Mind-Body Counseling, Somatic Psychotherapy and Mind-body & Well-being Coaching
License: #1304 LPC Colorado
(303) 887-4118
nicolmcgough@gmail.com
Life Coaching Virtually: Yes

I am a licensed professional counselor with over 40 years of experience in mental health counseling and body-mind psychotherapy. I served as a professor of counseling psychology for 17 years and as the Department Chair of Somatic Counseling Psychology at Naropa University for 3 years. In addition, I am a board-certified dance/movement therapist and have studied directly with leaders in the mind-body/psychophysiologic disorder field, including Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Charlie Merrill, and Annie Hopper.

Having fully recovered from my own debilitating experience with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, I now am able to embrace an active lifestyle, including climbing mountains and trekking in Nepal whenever possible. My personal journey informs my work, and I understand the unique challenges of overcoming chronic physical symptoms from both a professional and lived perspective.

I believe in providing a safe, supportive space for my clients to explore the areas in their lives where they feel stuck. My approach combines evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), alongside pioneering work in the mind-body illness field. I draw from the teachings of influential practitioners such as Dr. John Sarno, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. David Clarke, Alan Gordon, Christie Uipi, Peter Levine, and Nicol Sachs to help my clients move toward greater vitality, comfort, harmony, and health.

I believe that the key to healing chronic symptoms lies in learning how to effectively respond to physical discomfort. Helping my clients to understand psychophysiologic disorders (mind-body illnesses), how they work and teaching them to utilize effective tools from Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) like somatic tracking and practicing outcome independence, leaning into Dr. Kristin Neff’s self-compassion work, utilizing mental rehearsal, and Dr. William Pennebaker’s and Nicole Sach’s therapeutic journaling frameworks, I help clients alleviate their suffering and reclaim their well-being.

At the core of my work is the belief that everyone deserves to experience joy, passion, connection, and agency in their lives. Achieving this requires meeting clients where they are, assessing what’s working and what isn’t, and collaborating to set meaningful goals, make incremental changes, and overcome obstacles. I empower my clients to become their own best advocates, make decisions that align with their values, and create lives they truly desire.

It is both an honor and a privilege to engage in this sacred work with each individual I support. I offer services online, over the phone, or in person at my home office in Denver, Colorado. In addition to supporting individuals with psychophysiologic disorders, I work with clients facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, addiction, and trauma. With every session, I bring my heart, expertise, presence, and a deep commitment to my clients' well-being. For clients outside of Colorado and internationally, I provide virtual mind-body coaching to support their healing journey.

I offer free 15 minute consultations. Feel free to text or call me at 303-887-4118 or email me at nicolmcgough@gmail.com.