Nikki Hayashi

Nikki Hayashi

(she/her)

Adler University - Master of Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy Student

A bit about me...

I’m a queer, bi-racial practicum student in the Master of Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy program at Adler University. Before stepping into the world of therapy, I came from the world of art, working in film and public art spaces where creativity often got tangled with pressure, perfectionism, and visibility. That experience shaped my belief that creativity, when given space to breathe, can be powerful and healing.

My practice is grounded in intersectional feminism and narrative theory, and guided by the idea that therapy doesn’t need to be polished or productive to be meaningful. In the room, this means I pay attention to how larger systems and personal stories shape your experiences, and I invite you to explore and reclaim the stories that feel most true to you. I believe in moving slowly, holding complexity with care, and making space to explore the in-between—between identities, between roles, between where you’ve been and where you’re going.

What is it like working with me?

I bring warmth, openness, and a sense of humour into the room. I see our time together as a shared space where you don’t have to have it all figured out, and where your full self is welcome. Sometimes that means sitting with hard feelings, sometimes it means following a creative thread and seeing where it leads. I aim to create a space where we can be curious together, move at your pace, and honour whatever you’re bringing in.

How can I help? 

I’m here to support folks who are feeling disconnected from themselves or the things that once brought them joy, whether that’s creativity, identity, community, or direction. I often connect with people who feel caught in-between: between expectations, cultures, roles, or versions of themselves. I believe all forms of expression—visual art, movement, music, storytelling—can be powerful tools for reflection and healing, especially when words aren’t enough.

I am grounded in…

The idea that healing doesn’t have to be linear, pretty, or productive. I’m inspired by the messy, beautiful process of becoming, by slowness, and shared moments of curiosity or laughter. I believe there’s power in telling our stories on our own terms, and in making space for joy, grief, contradiction, and everything in between.

Nikki is taking on new clients for lower cost counselling (Sept 1st start)!

By donation: $40-80 sliding scale

Please contact us hello@deciphercounselling.com to join the wait list.

Session type:
Individuals, Teens/Adolescents (15+), Adults, Young Adults

Approach:

Narrative therapy, Person-Centered, Art Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Anti-Oppressive, Trauma-Informed, Feminist, Somatic Work

Specialties:

QTBIPOC community, Racial Identity, Creative Blocks, Burnout, Stress + Anxiety, Multi-cultural Experiences, Injustice, Eating Disorders + Disordered Eating, Body Image + Self-Esteem Concerns, Neurodiversity Issues

Languages:

English