meet nikoleta giannakopoulos

nikoleta’s credentials and philosophy

licensed professional counselor (lpc) national certified counselor - pronouns (she/her/hers) english & greek - individuals & couples

I strive to provide a comfortable and familiar feeling while in sessions with my clients, like wrapping yourself in your favorite sweater—warm, cozy, and uniquely tailored to you. I believe in being direct while still compassionate, and I love adding a dose of humor to sessions to create an experience that's truly authentic. With teamwork and trust in a safe and non judgemental space, we can navigate life’s challenges together.

I hold a particular passion for guiding individuals through grief and loss, drawing from my own experience with the unexpected loss of my father and I understand firsthand how crucial it is to have a space to process the complexities of losing a loved one. I work well with trauma, relationship dynamics, cultural differences, body image issues, anxiety, and depression. Your journey is unique, and my commitment is to create a therapeutic experience that meets your specific needs, empowering you to thrive. 

It would be an honor to support you through your counseling journey.

Some of my intersecting identities are:

member of the “dead parent club” - daughter of greek immigrant parents - nerd with a love for cozy games and fictional characters - crafter - lover of all things spooky - therapist in a larger body - lgbtqia+ ally and advocate

specialization

nikoleta’s areas of focus:

depression - anxiety - trauma - grief & loss - first gen individuals - relationship issues - premarital counseling- self worth recovery

nikoleta’s approach:

Trauma informed-mindfulness-based - cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt) - culturally sensitive - narrative therapy - emotionally focused therapy(eft)

education

Northeastern Illinois University 

masters in clinical mental health counseling 

contact

nikoleta@balancepsychotherapy.com