Nicole Jacobson, AASW

Nicole Jacobson is an accredited mental health social worker (AASW) licensed in Australia with 20 years of professional experience. She holds postgraduate certificates in Play Therapy and in Assessment and Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and she brings this specialist training to work with children, parents and carers as well as adults navigating emotional challenges.

Nicole supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, grief and loss, parenting difficulties, depression and compassion fatigue. As a parent of children with disabilities she has lived experience of the practical and emotional demands of caregiving and draws on familiar approaches such as Circle of Security attachment parenting when appropriate. Her background includes time spent living in remote Aboriginal communities and she has children and grandchildren who are First Nation, which informs a culturally aware approach to her practice.

She describes her work as grounded in respect, sensitivity and compassion, and she adapts conversations and treatment plans to each person’s unique needs. Nicole aims to empower people to take the courageous steps toward a more fulfilling life and offers practical support and guidance throughout the therapeutic journey.

Therapeutic approaches for parenting, grief and developmental concerns

Nicole Jacobson uses approaches that are practical and evidence informed. Play Therapy involves using play as a way for children to express feelings, build coping skills and work through difficult experiences, and is useful for young children facing emotional or behavioural challenges. Attachment-informed work, including familiarity with Circle of Security principles, focuses on strengthening relationships between parents and children, improving emotional connection and supporting secure attachment patterns in families. Nicole’s postgraduate training in assessment and diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder supports careful evaluation and tailored intervention planning for developmental concerns, guiding treatment choices that suit a child’s specific needs.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Nicole collaborates with each person or family to identify goals, trial methods and adjust the plan so it matches individual needs, preferences and life circumstances, working together to select the most helpful techniques.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions around caregiving responsibilities, remote living or work commitments, while still allowing appropriately qualified or registered professionals to guide progress and provide ongoing support.