About Shariffa
Shariffa 'Nicole' Vaughn helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or big life changes. She focuses on building confidence, improving self esteem, and finding clearer direction in work and life. Nicole speaks plainly and aims to make the first step feel manageable for a worried parent reading on a phone.
Nicole uses a strengths-based way of working. She treats each person as the expert on their own story and looks for practical steps that fit daily life.
Background and approach
Sessions tend to focus on small, doable changes that add up over time. She also offers coaching-style support for career concerns and motivation struggles. With five years of professional experience, Nicole brings steady, approachable guidance.
Her background includes work with people facing panic attacks, body image struggles, guilt, and feelings of isolation. She encourages self-compassion and helps clients practice self-love in concrete ways. Nicole is a licensed clinical social worker - LCSW - and practices from Connecticut.
She offers sessions in English. Her work blends listening with clear plans so people can try new habits between sessions. People can expect a collaborative, down-to-earth process.
Nicole helps identify immediate coping tools first, then moves toward longer term goals like career clarity or improved self esteem. The aim is to make progress feel realistic and steady rather than overwhelming.
How evidence-based techniques translate online
Many clients find brief evidence-based techniques helpful for anxiety and stress. For example, short skills training teaches breathing and grounding practices to reduce panic symptoms and calm immediate overwhelm. These are simple steps you can learn and repeat when a panic attack or intense worry arises.Another useful approach focuses on building self-esteem through small behavioral changes. This involves setting tiny, achievable goals and noticing accomplishments to shift self-talk and increase confidence. It can support career decisions, motivation, and a clearer sense of purpose.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will listen to your goals and try different strategies together until something fits. Clients and the therapist regularly check whether techniques are helping and adjust the plan based on real-world results.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to match different needs. Video calls work well for deeper conversations and visual connection. Phone sessions are handy when bandwidth is limited or you need a quick check-in. Live chat or text is useful for shorter reflections, coaching-style prompts, or ongoing support between longer sessions. These options make therapy more flexible around work, parenting, and busy schedules.
Frequently asked questions
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
Also works with
- Experience
- 5 years
- Licensed
- Virginia, Connecticut
- Languages
- English