Joseph Nucci, MA, CH, LPCC

Welcome to my professional website. As a mental health professional, I am dedicated to helping clients achieve greater well-being through evidence-based therapeutic techniques. Below you will find information about my clinical competencies and specializations, as well as my theoretical approach and experience collaborating with other providers. This page is primarily for other (mental) healthcare professionals to facilitate case referrals and collaboration across disciplines. If you are a prospective patient or client, you can read my bio here, although you may peruse this page if you wish.

Education & Credentials:

  • MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University

  • BA in the College of Social Studies from Wesleyan University

  • Licensed Practicing Counselor Candidate in Colorado (full license expected in 2024)

  • Limited Permit in NYS (full license expected in 2025)

Specialty Areas:

  • Couples Therapy

  • Complex / Relational Trauma

  • Adult Children of Parents with a Mental Illness

  • Adult Children of Dysfunctional Family Systems

Training and Competencies:

  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (Northwestern University)

  • Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies (Northwestern University)

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD (PESI training)

  • Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) for PTSD and Complex / Relational Trauma (In-person training) as well as other somatic therapies

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) at Capitol Hill Consortium for Counseling & Consultation

  • Gottman Couple’s Therapy Level 2

  • Psychopharmacology (PESI training)

  • TeleMental Health (including groups)

  • Marathon Therapy (Multi-hour intensive therapy)

  • Naturopathic and Nutritional Approaches to Mental Health Optimization

  • Clinical Hypnosis at the Center for Integrative Hypnosis

  • Neurolinguistic Programming at the Center for Integrative Hypnosis

  • Cognitive-Biobehavioral Self-Treatment

Clinical Approach (Theoretical Orientations):

My approach is integrative, tailored to the unique needs of each individual. I follow a three-step process to help clients achieve symptom relief and greater self-awareness:

  • Awareness: I use Rogerian/Person-centered techniques to help clients enhance their self-awareness. I may also incorporate a psychodynamic approach or psychoeducation when clinically appropriate.

  • Processing: If symptoms persist, I engage clients in cognitive therapy or intersubjective psychotherapy (a subtype of psychodynamic) and may incorporate behavioral interventions as needed.

  • Release: If symptoms persist, I continue with psychodynamic therapy, culminating in a corrective emotional experience, or use somatic therapies like DBR to alleviate symptoms. I may also collaborate with other specialists to explore medication, nutritional interventions, or naturopathic remedies.

Collaboration with Other Providers:

Collaboration with other providers is an essential part of the therapeutic process. As a mental health professional, I collaborate with psychiatrists, testing psychologists, doctors, nutritionists, coaches, and other therapists of every variety. I carefully stay within my scope of practice while educating my clients and patients on different approaches and philosophies within these fields. Central to counseling ethics is the principle of autonomy, so I support those I treat in making the best-informed and most autonomous decisions for their well-being.

Clinical Issues and Diagnoses Treated:

While I do not identify as a primarily diagnostic practitioner, I recognize their value in a common jargon between clinicians and researchers.

I am experienced in treating a wide range of clinical issues and diagnoses, including:

  • Adjustment Disorder

  • Insomnia Disorder

  • Major Depressive Disorder

  • Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

  • General Anxiety Disorder

  • Social Anxiety Disorder

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

  • Acute Stress Disorder

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

  • Bipolar I

  • Bipolar II

  • Excoriation Disorder

  • Trichotillomania

  • Unspecified Trauma Disorder

  • Unspecified Depressive Disorder

  • Acute-Stress Disorder

  • Disordered Eating

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Uncomplicated Bereavement

  • Smoking Cessation

  • Erectile Dysfunction

  • Anger Management

  • Complex Trauma

  • Relational Trauma

  • Sexual Abuse

  • Career Counseling

  • Career Coaching

  • Body Image Issues

  • Premarital Counseling

  • Divorce Counseling

  • Infidelity

  • Domestic Abuse (physical or emotional)

  • Attachment-Style Issues

  • Olfactory Hallucinations