Nikki Hawkins, PhD, MEd, LAPC
I help people feel more grounded, joyful, and fulfilled, even when life presents challenges, changes, and uncertainty.
Hey there, I’m Nikki--a counselor, wife to my high school sweetheart, mom to two amazing children, and passionate advocate for those looking to find health, joy, and balance in their lives. I began my career as a Health Psychologist Researcher at the CDC, studying how people understand heath and illness, cope with medical issues, and find hope and well-being even with serious conditions such as cancer. While at the CDC, I contributed a psychologists' viewpoint on improving public health and supporting patients during difficult times.
After sending my oldest child to college, I noticed a growing passion for the parts of my job that involved career mentoring and counseling team members through challenges in parenting, marriage, and their personal lives. With encouragement from others who knew me well, I followed this calling and pivoted in my career to private practice counseling.
As a therapist, I’ve enjoyed working with high school and college students, parents, patients, individuals with disabilities, individuals in recovery, retirees, families, and couples. I draw from an existential theoretical framework with specialized training in mindfulness, internal family systems therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, marriage and family therapy, and a bio-psycho-social approach to health and wellness.
As a mom, wife, professional, and survivor of MANY life stages, I know how exhausting it can be to juggle all the pieces of your life--social, professional, financial, familial--while trying not to neglect your emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. If anything unexpected happens, it can quickly feel out of control. My first goal as a therapist is always to let you know you are not alone. I'm here to help you move through excessive worry, sadness, anxiety and self-doubt. I deeply care for my clients as I do for all humans, and I bring warmth, humor, and a down-to-earth approach to sessions. Clients describe me as a warm, supportive, and insightful counselor who provides a comfortable space for them to laugh, cry, learn, and grow. Please reach out HERE to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation or to request your first session so we can get started.
- Education, Licenses, Certifications, and Training
- PhD, Psychology & Social Behavior (Specialization: Health Psychology), University of California, Irvine
- MEd, Mental Health Counseling, University of Georgia
- OCD Diagnosis and ERP therapy-trained
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 1 & 2
- Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate, UGA
- Motivational Interviewing for Behavior Change, Level 1
- Licensed Associate Professional Counselor APC010517
- Seeing clients under the supervision of Debbie Smith, LPC, CPCS and direction of Danielle Hava, LCSW
My girl Lucy cheering on the Dawgs!
What I Love
On a personal note, I love hanging out with my family and friends (new and old), traveling to new places, digging-in to an outrageous documentary or true crime podcast, and engaging in just about any outdoor activity any time of the year—walking, running, swimming, biking, boating, skiing, hiking (ok, maybe not skydiving). I’ve traveled to many parts of the world and lived across the U.S.—north, south, east, and west—but I’ve found few things that beat a sunny, fall Saturday with friends and family in Athens, Georgia. Go Dawgs!