Garland Nichols

Garland Nichols is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) based in the District of Columbia. He works with people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anger, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, depression, and life transitions. He also supports those facing parenting challenges, sleep problems, career uncertainty, and issues related to identity and relationships.

Garland aims to make sessions feel straightforward and safe. He creates space for people to talk through upsetting feelings without judgment. He focuses on practical steps that can be tried between meetings to reduce distress and build confidence.

In sessions he draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy to help clients identify patterns and set manageable goals. That often means naming automatic thoughts, clarifying what needs to change, and testing small behavioral adjustments that can make a daily difference.

Before becoming a clinician Garland spent four years in child welfare and social services, and he has three years practicing as a clinical social worker. Those experiences shaped his interest in adoption and foster care issues, blended family dynamics, multicultural concerns, and how trauma affects mood and relationships.

He emphasizes collaboration and real-world skills. Clients leave with tools to handle anger, cope with grief, and navigate stressful life changes. To begin, Garland asks people to share what they hope to change so he can help build a practical plan together.

How his approaches translate to online work

Garland uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes that can lower anger and anxiety. He uses Motivational Interviewing to help clients find their own reasons to change and build momentum. Solution-Focused Therapy is used to clarify short-term goals and test practical steps that feel doable day to day.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Garland talks with each person about their goals and preferences, and then adjusts methods to fit what feels most useful. He treats the plan as collaborative and will check in about how techniques are or are not helping.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy routine, allow shorter check-ins on a work break, or reduce time spent traveling to appointments. Discussing goals and trying a method remotely can be just as practical and focused as in-person work, and Garland will help match the approach to your day-to-day needs.