Hart McNicholas, clinical intern

(they/them)

Languages: English

As a clinical intern at Practical Audacity, Hart is able to see clients at a reduced rate of $75 per session.

* Welcome *

Welcome, my name is Hart. Thank you for taking the time to get to know my therapeutic style and see if we are a good fit for therapy.

Living in a human body involves navigating obstacles, transitions, traumas, injuries, pains, wants & needs, relationships, emotions, and overwhelm. My goal is to provide a collaborative space to support those changes, challenges, and growth.


* My Focus *

Folks come to therapy with a variety of concerns and needs. I work through a trauma-informed and culturally humble lens that prioritizes sustained healing and growth through intentional skill development. I aim to serve folks experiencing marginalization and systemic oppression & violence, especially those of us experiencing life through multiple marginalized social identities.

* My Approach *

My therapeutic work is based on a physiological understanding of trauma informed by intersectional feminist and mindfulness theories. I view trauma through the lens of our bodies and nervous systems, as both a physiological and psychological experience. Our bodies are constantly receiving and sending information within itself and with the world that shapes our experiences; as we learn about ourselves, we can grow the patterns of behavior that support us and shift the patterns that harm us. This work involves tolerable discomfort. I try to build a therapeutic relationship with folks in which we can be uncomfortable and move through discomfort. Folks can expect sessions with me to be conversational with an emphasis on resource-sharing and skill-development as we work towards our collaboratively determined goals.


* My Philosophy on Therapy *

We each grow through different processes, and my psychotherapeutic process emphasizes authenticity, curiosity, community, acceptance without defeat, and tolerable challenges. My therapeutic philosophy is informed by my commitment to social justice, abolition, and decolonization. In addition to queer, intersectional, feminist, and critical race theories, I particularly draw from polyvagal theory of nervous system regulation (informed by Steven Porges and Deb Dana) and radical self-love (informed by Sonya Renee Taylor).


* Credentials & EXPERIENCE *

  • Current M.A. in Counseling Student, Northwestern University 

  • B.Sc. in Biology, DePaul University

    Before Practical Audacity, I gained clinical internship experience in private practice in the Chicagoland area, mainly working with neurodivergent folks. Before my therapy career, I worked in molecular biology and conservation biology research which informs my physiological and socio-environmental dimensions of psychology and psychotherapy.

* MORE ABOUT ME *

Identities that inform my approach to this work include being a White, queer, trans, disabled human meatsuit with a soul. In my current life, I am a clinical intern, graduate student, friend, child, sibling, family caretaker, and dog parent.