Courtney Nelson, LICSW

Courtney Nelson is a licensed clinician in Rhode Island with 22 years of professional experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and challenges with motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. As a LICSW, which stands for Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, she brings advanced social work training to her therapeutic practice and adapts treatment to each person she sees.

She approaches care with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, shaping conversations and treatment plans to match each client’s unique needs and goals. Courtney emphasizes a collaborative process, working alongside clients to identify practical steps and build skills that support more fulfilling and resilient daily life. Taking the first step toward change can require courage, and she positions herself as a steady source of support through that process.

Her work often addresses both immediate concerns and longer-term patterns, offering guidance for coping with life transitions, rebuilding confidence, and processing loss or past harm. Courtney aims to create a therapeutic partnership that honors each person’s experience while focusing on clear, achievable goals for recovery and growth.

Therapeutic approaches and online care that fit your needs

Courtney Nelson integrates client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing to support clients in online settings. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening with empathy and building a respectful therapeutic relationship - it helps when someone needs a safe space to explore feelings and clarify values. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a practical, skills-based approach that identifies unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and develops strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, and mood concerns. Motivational interviewing is a collaborative method that helps people resolve ambivalence and strengthen the internal motivation needed to make meaningful life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Courtney works collaboratively with each client to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan over time based on progress and feedback.

Online therapy with Courtney is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for scheduling around work, caregiving, or health limitations. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and access support from home or elsewhere while working toward clearer goals and improved coping skills.