About Me
I’m Dr. Nicole Wells, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Wells Psychological, LLC. I’m deeply passionate about supporting people with complex challenges—especially anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and autism—and I use my experience and expertise to help those who have ever felt like an outsider or struggled to find their place. I also love working with creatives, thinkers who process the world differently, and twice-exceptional individuals. I offer affirming, evidence-based care that’s personalized to meet you where you are. Together, we take a compassionate, collaborative approach, blending strategies to help you feel understood, build confidence, and develop skills that last long after therapy ends.
Experience & Expertise
With over 15 years of experience, I’ve dedicated my career to helping autistic and neurodiverse individuals and their families thrive. My journey has included clinical work, research, and teaching, beginning with a PhD in clinical psychology, a specialized neurodevelopmental internship, and a child and neurodevelopmental focused fellowship. I have extensive experience helping people manage anxiety and related challenges, using evidence-based approaches like ERP, ACT, and PCIT in a way that’s personalized to each person’s needs. Along the way, I’ve published 19 peer-reviewed studies, presented at national conferences, taught graduate-level therapy courses, and supervised clinical teams. Since 2014, I’ve also served as an Assistant Professor and clinical supervisor in the Department of Psychiatry at Eastern Virginia Medical School, mentoring doctoral-level clinicians and helping them develop the skills to provide compassionate, individualized care.
Formal Training
Doctoral Training: PhD in Clinical Psychology at Virginia Tech
Internship: JFK Partners at the University of Colorado, Denver
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Departments of Neuropsychology and Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Johns Hopkins/Kennedy Krieger Institute
Types of Therapy
The therapies I use fall under the umbrellas of cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, and parent–child dyad-focused therapies. These include:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Compassion Focused Therapy
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) — certified provider
I provide evidence-based care that’s tailored to the whole person. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, I meet you where you are, individualize goals and the pacing of sessions, and blend therapy methods to create support that truly fits your needs.
My primary areas of expertise are helping people build effective skills for managing anxiety disorders and OCD. I also support Autistic and neurodiverse individuals in strengthening relationships, reducing loneliness, and connecting more fully with others. In addition, I help people develop tools for facing challenges such as specific phobias, panic disorder, social anxiety, and depression
Academic & Research Contributions
In addition to my clinical work, I remain active in research and academic teaching.
19 peer-reviewed studies on assessment, therapy, and neurodevelopment
Presentations at national conferences on evidence-based treatment and assessment
Ongoing teaching and clinical supervision for doctoral-level clinicians in training
Learn more:
Are you ready to take the next step?
If you’re ready to move beyond just coping and start building a clearer, more fulfilling path forward, I invite you to reach out. Let’s connect and see how we can work together to support your journey toward growth and well-being.