Nicholas started out interested in becoming an artist but then gravitated towards helping fields. He went into secondary education at Western Carolina University (BSed) and taught English and drama for a short while before going into the wilderness therapy modality, where he got his start in behavioral health. The other aspects of outdoor education and healing — wilderness guiding, risk management, “primitive” cultural self-identification/skill development, and crisis stabilization helped him develop the skillset and confidence to transition into public mental health.
Nicholas worked on an Assertive Community Treatment team for 6 years, where he assisted folks classified as severely mentally ill, dual-diagnosis, and chronically homeless with counsel, housing, employment, and connection to services. He was a certified Peer Support Specialist, Motivational Interviewer, and Qualified Professional Counselor with extensive crisis management experience. Recently after a move to Arizona, Nicholas became an instructor for those in need of domestic non-violent communication skills, and a substance abuse treatment educator as a Behavioral Health Technician. He most recently completed training through The Shift Network on the Psychology of the Future with Stanislav Grof, Psychiatrist and Transpersonal Psychology Pioneer. Additionally, Nick has been mentoring under a shamanic breathwork practitioner in North Carolina, whom he has been working with for over 8 years, and is currently studying ceremonial work with another Peruvian traditional shaman based in Cottonwood. Through ongoing education and training, Nicholas continues to deepen his skills and effectiveness in facilitating powerful breathwork sessions with clients.
Nicholas is happy to have found Alternative to Meds, as it aligns with his own personal beliefs that he has gleaned from the years he spent working with folks struggling to regain their balance and stability while coping with highly toxic environments.
