JINU NIKI, LMFT, LCADC
Preferred Name: “Jin” pronounced the same as “gin.”
Regardless of race, ethnicity, class, or culture, what binds us all together is the pain that comes from the distorted beliefs we hold about ourselves, feeling not good enough, damaged, or inadequate. That’s the pain I help people move through.
I work with driven high-achievers and professionals, helping them feel more confident and capable to step into their better path.
The Why
My dream of becoming a therapist was sparked when I was 14 years old, upon witnessing the impact of family issues on the mental health of my peers and myself. Those struggles often stemmed from what happens behind closed doors: unhealthy parental relationships, emotional neglect, abuse, critical or rigid parenting, and the absence of emotional support.
From a young age, I learned that many of us who seem to have it all together on the outside are often hiding behind a mask, carrying shame, guilt, and deep-seated insecurities. It was through the countless times I witnessed this, that I realized the wider the discrepancy between how we feel on the inside and who we present on the outside, the more we quietly suffer inside.
That is why I am a firm believer that in order to achieve overall wellness, we must place priority on creating a life that feels good on the inside rather than a life that appears good from the outside.
Today, I am committed to helping high-achievers, high performers, and professionals like yourself lead a more fulfilling life, free from the cycle of anxiety and self-doubt.
We can easily get caught up in the responsibilities and throes of life and be stuck in the endless pursuit of achievements, but is it worth it if we can’t stop to enjoy or feel good about ourselves?
You may not know exactly what healing looks like for you yet, and that is okay. My hope is that you take the first step anyway, and trust that the path will become clearer as you walk it. And I am confident that this one step will lead to a better path than where you are today.
To learn more about my personal journey, go here
MY Approach
What’s it like to work with me
My approach is that one size does not fit all. I’ve seen throughout my career how easily therapy can become a process of trying to fit people into a particular framework, rather than shaping the work around the person in front of you. Being a trained professional doesn’t mean I have the “cure” to your problem or that I’m the expert on your life.
I want to understand the different parts of you — the parts with a story and a journey that shaped who you are today. I want to understand what has and hasn’t worked for you in the past, especially if you’ve had experiences in therapy that felt flat over time, weren’t trauma-informed, focused more on changing how you think than how you feel, or left you feeling understood but not necessarily helped.
This is an ongoing conversation. We can talk openly about your goals, assess what’s working, and make adjustments when something isn’t. Your time, effort, and investment matter to me, and I want you to feel that our work is moving somewhere.
I can be structured and directive when it’s helpful. I keep track of what we’ve tried and what's worked, and pay attention to patterns that can be easy to miss when you’re in the middle of them. We pick up where we left off to stay oriented toward your goals, unless something unexpected during your week needs attention. I’ll often bring something back up from an earlier conversation when it becomes relevant.
Ultimately, my goal isn’t to keep you forever. Therapy has an ending. One sign is that clients tell me they've caught themselves wondering “what would Jin say,” or thinking through a situation the way we might in session. That’s the direction I want our work to move toward: you becoming your own therapist. Therapy isn’t about creating dependence; it's about giving you skills you can carry long after therapy ends, learning to catch yourself, course-correct, and recognize the changes happening within you.
Clients who tend to see the greatest change are often those who actively practice what we work on between sessions, particularly when it comes to managing anxiety, triggers, and spiraling. For many people, there's a noticeable shift within six months, with smaller changes often showing up well before that. Not everyone gets there on the same timeline, but by a year, those who stay engaged often tell me they genuinely don't see themselves the same way anymore, both in how they present and how they feel inside.
CREDENTIALS
About my experience
With 15+ years experience, specializing in generalized anxiety, PTSD, and complex trauma, here’s a closer look at my licenses, training, and background.
Licenses & Credentials:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #82465 (CA) - Verify License
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #01350 (NV) - Verify License
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (NV) - Verify License
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy - Clinical Fellow
Clinical Trainings & Certifications:
Certified EMDR Therapist (2022) - Verify Credential
IFS Level 1 (2025)
Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Polyvagal Informed Trauma Therapy
Education:
Alliant International University, M.A. Marriage & Family Therapy, 2010
University of Southern California, B.A. Psychology, 2002
I enjoy working with:
Adults of all ages navigating trauma and anxiety
Couples who care deeply about each other but feel stuck in patterns of miscommunication, recurring conflict, or emotional distance
People living with the lasting effects of severe or complex trauma, especially when it feels like the past still has a hold on the present
For therapists and clinicians:
I also work with interns and licensed therapists who want to strengthen their EMDR practice, build clinical confidence, and develop an IFS-informed approach.
AAMFT Approved Supervisor (2022) - Verify License
Nevada Board Approved Primary & Secondary Supervisor (2020)
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Supervisor (NV) - Verify License
Ready to Connect?
Your healing journey can start today if you are ready to make a change.