Elle Nichol

Mental Health Graduate Intern

Brief info

Elle is a Mental Health Counseling Intern and a second-year graduate student in Marian University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with minors in Counseling and Sociology, from Indiana University Bloomington. Elle’s professional experience includes working as an intern at Pathway Counseling LLC, a support group facilitator at Brooke’s Place in Indianapolis, and as a Registered Behavior Technician at LittleStar ABA Therapy. Elle gained beneficial skills through these experiences that have fueled her desire to continue working with youth in this field.

I always had the desire to help individuals in any capacity, starting from a young age. When I was young, I would volunteer with organizations that focused on building relationships with individuals in the community. I always remember it as a rewarding experience. As I began taking Psychology classes at Carmel High School, my passion and drive to work in the mental health field strengthened, leading me to study Psychology, Sociology, and Counseling topics at Indiana University Bloomington. Through my classes, learning from my professors, service-learning opportunities, and on-campus initiatives, I was able to practice emotional intelligence, empathy skills, unconditional positive regard, and self-care rituals, continuing to strengthen my motivation to work with others in a therapeutic setting. After completing my undergraduate degree, my dedication to becoming a mental health counselor and providing individuals with compassion and comfort remains strong.

As a future mental health counselor, I aim for my work with children and families to embody compassion, collaboration, and growth. My goal is to build a safe and welcoming environment where children feel heard and understood, and where families feel supported in navigating challenges together. I want to make a space where children can express themselves freely through conversation, play, or creative activities, while I listen carefully and help them develop healthy coping skills. At the same time, I want to work alongside families to strengthen communication, build resilience, and foster stronger connections within the home. I plan to approach each family system with respect for their unique values, cultures, and experiences, and to adapt my interventions so that they feel meaningful and relevant to them.

Outside of Mini Minds and my class schedule, I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and dogs at home. I am a long-distance runner who has trained for three half-marathons over the past year. I also enjoy attending concerts, discovering new music, reading, and exploring new places.