Misti Nicholson, PsyD
Director, Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Nicholson is a licensed psychologist and director of clinical services at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists in Round Rock, Central Austin, and West Lake Hills, Texas. Dr. Nicholson founded Austin Anxiety and Behavioral Health Services in 2012 in response to a need for greater access to evidence-based treatment for anxiety disorders in the Austin area.
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Dr. Nicholson specializes in treating anxiety disorders, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), phobias, panic disorder, and selective mutism. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Nicholson recognizes that anxiety often affects relationships and the family as a whole, so she also enjoys working with parents and families.
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Dr. Nicholson brings warmth, sensitivity, gentle humor, and over a decade of experience to her work with clients. She uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help clients learn new ways of responding to anxious thoughts and feelings. Dr. Nicholson helps clients identify and integrate their existing strengths with new coping skills to live a more meaningful and value-driven life without the heavy weight of anxiety.
Dr. Nicholson works collaboratively with clients and families to clearly define treatment goals, develop an individualized treatment plan, and regularly review progress. As a mother of three boys, Dr. Nicholson understands the difficult task of balancing family, career, and other demands. Her firsthand knowledge of the challenges of parenting an anxious child allows her to approach her clinical work and relate to parents with a unique insider’s perspective. She values collaboration and also works closely with schools, physicians, psychiatrists, and other treatment providers.
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Dr. Nicholson earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She earned her Master of Arts and doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. Dr. Nicholson completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at Cherokee Health Systems in Knoxville, TN, where she gained valuable experience working with patients in a pediatric primary care clinic, an outpatient day treatment program, and an outpatient behavioral health clinic.
Dr. Nicholson completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Austin Center for the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Austin OCD) where she also served as Director of Child and Adolescent Services. While at Austin OCD, Dr. Nicholson received extensive training and experience in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP). She is a licensed psychologist in the state of Texas (#36270). Dr. Nicholson is a graduate of the International OCD Foundation’s Pediatric Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI). She has also completed specialized training through the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
Commitment to Ongoing Education
Committed to staying current on research and providing the most up-to-date treatment interventions available, Dr. Nicholson regularly attends anxiety and OCD trainings and conferences. Dr. Nicholson’s professional affiliations include:
International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
Texas Psychological Association
Capital Area Psychological Association
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Outside of the office, Dr. Nicholson enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
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Dr. Nicholson is not currently accepting clients.