Member Profile by Shelley Horner, LMFT

Nikki Gabriel, LMFT

Nikki Gabriel, LMFT has such a straightforward and unpretentious personality that when I found out she was raised in Montana, it made sense. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Montana, she made the move to Los Angeles to discover another slice of life. Nikki worked in South Los Angeles for the I Have a Dream Foundation as a project coordinator for five years. Then, she moved to the San Fernando Valley to work as the program director for Student Run L.A. This organization inspires at-risk youth to achieve their dreams through a life-transforming experience of training for and completing the Los Angeles. Marathon. Nikki was inspired by her work with students at I Have a Dream Foundation to enroll as a graduate student at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) to become a school counselor and earn a Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC). She was encouraged by a much younger student in her program to also pursue the Marriage and Family program at CSUN. Nikki is very grateful for this idea since she decided that she prefers being a therapist in private practice even though she does keep her PPSC up to date.

Since earning her Master of Science in Counseling she has worked as a psychotherapist. Nikki earned her MFT license in 2014 and has a busy, private practice. She still likes working with teens but her private practice is mainly made up of adults (individuals and couples). She especially enjoys helping people with mood disorders and/or relational issues. Nikki practices in Encino and Granada Hills. Her clients are lucky to have a therapist who is passionate about helping people lead better lives. When asked if there were any childhood clues that she would become a therapist, Nikki said the signs of being a therapist were present since she always seemed to have a "gift for listening." She stated, "When I listen, I take pictures in my mind and I have a good memory." Nikki also helps her clients to learn how to be good listeners to improve the quality of their relationships with others.

Nikki has also made our chapter run better by helping to update our website since 2016, and this year she is the Secretary of our Board. Listening is a necessary skill to capture what is discussed and voted upon at every Board meeting! If you see Nikki at a chapter event, you might want to thank her for her attentive dedication to our chapter.

When asked what she liked about attending the chapter events she said each meeting is a little refresher. Nikki said that at each event, she "learns at least one thing and that connecting with colleagues is motivating." Her decision for being involved as a volunteer for the chapter is to meet and get to know more people. Nikki enjoys being involved.

Nikki stated that "Being a therapist is a journey, we keep growing, learning, and evolving!"

Spending time with Nikki is as refreshing as enjoying the Big Sky of Montana. She is a breath of fresh air.

If you would like more information about Nikki please view her website www.nikkigabrielmft.com, or call her at 818.473.0088 or email at nikki@nikkigabrielmft.com.

This Member Profile was written by Shelley Horner, LMFT. Shelley enjoys connecting with fellow SFV-CAMFT members, helping clients in her Calabasas private practice, and being with her family, friends, and kitty cats.