Nichole Sales, MSW, R.S.W.

I grew up in the Okanagan, and returned three years ago, having lived between Spain, Calgary, Jasper, Cambodia, Australia, and now Summerland. I am a Register Social Worker, holding a Masters of Social Work, a Bachelors of Social Work and a Rehabilitation Practitioner Diploma. Within my masters, I focused on counselling and decolonial practice, how to break down barriers to care, promoting relationship and meeting folks where they are at.

Prior to returning to the Okanagan, I worked in Jasper as an Outreach Worker, I held several different contracts over the years, supporting families with youth prenatal to preschool, adults and seniors, and folks with disabilities of various ages. My experience has been quite varied, running a drop-in crisis center and focusing predominately on mental health supports, connecting people to resources, connection to community and providing accessible care. More recently in Penticton I work within Mental Health and Substance Use, predominately with youth 12-24 and their families. I have worked in the Mental Health field for over ten years and continue further educating within different modalities.

In my spare time I love to travel, spend time with family and friends, mountain bike, spend time in nature, read, walk my dog and continue learning. I have two young children and we like to get outside as much as we can, moving our bodies and enjoying the Okanagan sunshine. I am people person and thrive in person centered care, with a strong sense of social justice.

Therapeutic services are a way to create safety to explore the complexities of our inner worlds, I work to instil trust, I am non-shaming and see my practice as constantly evolving. My approach is person-centered, anti-oppressive and focused on healing. I aim to make safe and inclusive spaces, grounded in trust, reciprocity and non-judgement. I am strength-based and honour people’s innate skills, focusing on working together to promote healing.

I started my career as a Rehabilitation Practitioner, working with folks with disabilities, primarily individuals with autism and neurodiversity. I am a person with a disability myself and understand the nuances of living with differences within society. I hold a Bachelors of Social Work, am a Registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Workers and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Victoria. I pull from different modalities, including; Emotion Family Focused Therapies, Narrative Practice, Sexualities, Gender & Narrative Practice, Motivational Interviewing and DBT. I am interested in positive sexual health education, encouraging growth through safe relationships, gaining insight into peoples interactions within their environments and how to improve positive relationships. My counselling experience has been predominately focused on youth and men’s mental health, while I have a variety of experience with folks from many different demographics. I meet people where they are at, have capacity to hold complex spaces, and always promote autonomy.

• Anxiety
• 2SLGBTQIA++
• Communication/Conflict
• Depression
• Substance Use
• Trauma
• PTSD/CPTSD
• Parenting Supports
• Persons with Disabilities
• Men’s Mental Health
• Child & Youth Mental Health
• Positive Sexual Health