About Nicole
Meet Your Therapist
I’m Nicole Vykoukal, LCSW, a Texas psychotherapist, pet loss counselor, Brainspotting therapist, and yoga teacher. For more than 15 years, I have supported adults through trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, relationship challenges, chronic illness and pain, high sensitivity (HSP), and major life transitions.
My work is grounded in the belief that healing happens through safe relationships, compassion, and being truly seen and understood. I provide a collaborative, supportive space where you can explore your experiences, better understand patterns that may be affecting your life, and develop greater resilience, self-compassion, and emotional regulation.
I believe therapy is not about changing who you are. It is about creating the conditions for healing, growth, and reconnecting with yourself.
My Professional Journey
My path as a therapist has been shaped by a deep curiosity about the ways our relationships, experiences, and environments influence who we become.
In 2005, I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Social Work. My studies and research focused on family systems, substance use, and trauma, and I had the privilege of presenting my research at the Western Social Science Conference.
Inspired by a passion for social justice and client-centered care, I earned my Master of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin in 2008. My graduate work focused on grief and loss, trauma, relationships, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, substance use, and mental health.
After graduation, I moved to London, England, where I gained international experience while continuing to advocate for and support individuals impacted by trauma.
When I returned to Austin in 2009, I worked as an intimate partner violence and sexual assault counselor and advocate, while also facilitating employee wellness programs focused on secondary trauma prevention, resilience, and self-care for helping professionals.
During this time, I also practiced psychotherapy in a private practice setting under clinical supervision, where I deepened my work in attachment theory, trauma-informed care, grief counseling, highly sensitive people, mindfulness, and mind-body approaches to healing.
In 2011, I completed a 250-hour yoga teacher training and founded Austin Doga, combining yoga, mindfulness, and the human-animal bond to support emotional well-being. In 2016, I opened my private psychotherapy practice, where I continue to integrate these experiences into my work with clients.
My Path to Pet Loss Counseling
My passion for pet loss counseling grew from both my professional experience as a therapist and my own experiences loving and losing companion animals.
After the traumatic loss of one of my beloved animals, I came to understand just how profound and complex pet grief can be. The bond we share with our companion animals is deeply meaningful, and the loss of that relationship can impact every part of our lives. Yet, many people struggle to find others who truly recognize the depth of this grief.
About a year after that loss, I created my Pet Loss Support Group to provide a space where people could openly grieve, feel understood, and connect with others who shared a similar experience.
Since then, I have continued to navigate the joys and challenges of caring for companion animals through different stages of life, including aging, illness, veterinary decisions, and end-of-life care. Each experience has been unique, and each has deepened my understanding of the many emotions that can accompany loving and losing an animal companion.
I believe pet loss is a significant grief experience. Whether you are grieving a recent loss, preparing for an anticipated goodbye, processing a difficult medical decision, or struggling after a traumatic experience, your relationship with your pet mattered. Your grief deserves compassion and support.
My Therapeutic Approach
My approach integrates evidence-based psychotherapy with mind-body approaches that honor the connection between the brain, body, emotions, and nervous system.
Depending on your needs and goals, therapy may incorporate:
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a brain-body therapy that can support the processing of trauma, distressing experiences, and emotions that may feel difficult to access through traditional talk therapy alone. It can be especially helpful for traumatic loss, overwhelming experiences, and deeply held emotional pain.
Nervous System Regulation
Stress and trauma are experienced not only through our thoughts but also through our bodies. Therapy can help develop greater awareness, regulation, and a sense of safety within your nervous system.
Mind-Body Practices
As a yoga teacher, I incorporate mindfulness, body awareness, and other mind-body perspectives when appropriate to support deeper emotional processing and healing.
Relational and Experiential Therapy
I believe meaningful healing happens through connection. Together, we explore your experiences with curiosity, compassion, and respect for your individual path.
Beyond the Therapy Room
Outside of my psychotherapy practice, I remain deeply connected to animals, nature, movement, and mindfulness. These values continue to shape both my personal life and my clinical work.
I offer in-person counseling in East Austin and secure online therapy for clients throughout Texas. Whether you are navigating trauma, grief, pet loss, anxiety, chronic illness, or another difficult season of life, I would be honored to walk alongside you.
Meet Snoop
Snoop joined my family in 2011 after spending time living on the streets of East Austin. Since then, he has transformed from a spirited little survivor into a gentle therapy companion.
After earning his Canine Good Citizen certification, Snoop worked alongside me supporting sexual assault survivor groups, nursing home residents, and individuals living in memory care. Today, he occasionally accompanies me to my office, where his calm presence often helps clients feel more at ease.
Not everyone enjoys having a dog present during therapy, and that's completely okay.
If you prefer a dog-free session, simply let me know when scheduling and Snoop will happily take the hour off.
