Nicole Shieh Therapy
Welcome to my therapy practice, a place to speak and be heard.
Therapy is the place to express your most candid, honest truth. It’s where you articulate what you really, truly want most from your life. Whether you are a couple or an individual, I can help you make sense of the chaos inside and address its underlying causes.
I specialize in working with Asian American teens and adults who struggle in difficult relationships with their immigrant parents.
I work with you to carve out a separate path and place in the world. I can help you address painful unresolved family conflicts, cultural expectations and racial stereotypes, anxiety and depression, guilt, shame, and fears of losing approval and belonging.
My approach to therapy gives you breathing room, a chance to let your guard down and acknowledge the hurts you have been living with, often outside of your conscious awareness.
I invite you to schedule a free consultation with me to discuss your unique situation.
Therapy Services
individual therapy
Speak about the role of cultural expectations and beliefs, parental pressures, gender and sexuality, silence and shame around mental illness, wealth/class status and more. We examine how your earliest relationships shape how you relate to others and yourself.
couples & Family therapy
Speak about loss of intimacy, breaches in trust, passive aggressive communication, excessive anger and volatility, parenting challenges, navigating polyamory, negotiating a break-up and more. Includes close friendships, family members, romantic partners and married spouses.
groups & workshops
Occasionally I offer group therapy and workshops to expand the possibilities of healing within a communal space. I also offer custom-designed workshops by request. To get notified about upcoming events, please sign up for my mailing list.
What to Expect
Step 1: Schedule a free consultation
In a brief, 15-20 minute phone call, we will discuss what you are looking for and determine whether it makes sense to schedule a first session.
Step 2: Preliminary Intake Sessions
Within the span of 1-3 introductory sessions, I will take the time to get to know your reasons for seeking therapy, collect detailed information about your struggles throughout your life, current situation, and family and relationship history. This is also a time for assessing the “fit” between us, and whether you will likely benefit from the type of therapy I provide.
Step 3: Therapy Begins
After we determine that we can work together, we will set a regular time to meet. You are encouraged to arrive to sessions without anything planned, speak freely, allowing your thoughts to arise spontaneously. You can also bring in any dreams you remember. As we’re getting started I will welcome your questions and explain what I’m doing as we go, as the process of therapy can feel a bit strange, especially if you are new to it. Therapy is a unique experience for each and every person.
My office is located in Sacramento’s Midtown neighborhood, very close to the lightrail stop.
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom
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About Nicole Shieh, LMFT
Professional Experience
Nicole is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Sacramento, California with 13+ years of clinical experience working with individuals and couples of diverse sociocultural backgrounds, as well as those identifying as LGBTQ. In particular, she helps Asian American children of immigrants navigate cultural identity, family dynamics, and intergenerational trauma. Her approach combines psychoanalytic training from Access Institute (2014) with a Masters in Counseling Psychology from CIIS (2012) and sociological foundations from Wesleyan University (2005).
Nicole’s clinical journey through Asian Community Mental Health Services, Roosevelt Middle School, and San Francisco State University Counseling Center has deepened her expertise in addressing the unique challenges faced by bicultural youth and young adults. Nicole has presented extensively on API mental health, including workshops on "Beyond the Stigma" and "The Mental Health Impact of Anti-Asian Violence."
As a supervisor at CIIS clinics and former Adjunct Professor, Nicole is committed to training culturally responsive, critical thinking clinicians. Her practice provides a space where clients can explore their intersecting identities, family histories, and personal values while building resilience and authentic self-expression.