Prior to joining The Lucine Center, Nikki worked at the Trauma and Grief Center at Texas Children’s Hospital with a primary focus on the treatment of youth who were experiencing significant distress as a result of bereavement or trauma exposure. Nikki was also a critical part of increasing access to mental health services in the Third Ward Community in Houston through collaboration and partnership with a local school. 

Nikki spent the first six years of her career working as a Clinical Social Worker and therapist across various educational, medical, and mental health settings such as schools, medical hospitals, and psychiatric facilities. In these roles she worked closely with clients and families to complete psychosocial assessments, crisis intervention, case management, trauma- and bereavement-informed intervention, along with brief-solution focused intervention, and psychological first aid. Nikki has worked arduously to empower clients to do the necessary, albeit difficult, work to recognize their inner strength and ability to heal after experiencing trauma, toxic stress, loss, and other life challenges. Nikki is passionate about providing support to empower clients to thrive in order to become the best version of themselves.

Nikki obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas State University and obtained a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California.

Nikki and her husband Charles have a daughter named Majesty (affectionately referred to as her “Her Royal Majesty or MJ”), who is a joy. In her spare time, Nikki enjoys trying new recipes, gardening, and exercising.