Niko is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who enjoys working with adults, children, families, and all members of a diverse community. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based treatment, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family-focused therapy, behavioral coaching, and mindfulness techniques. These methods of treatment are applied with utmost compassion and empathy. Niko cares deeply for her clients and guides them to push past hurdles and face challenges. Opting for therapy is in itself a major milestone, and while the journey to well-being is not always easy, Niko will help you by teaching you the tools required for self-improvement. She will focus on your goals and assist you in meeting your commitments as you progress through your therapy. She is dedicated to creating and implementing an effective and specialized treatment plan that will work for your unique needs. 

Niko grew up in Santa Cruz, CA and is a lifelong Bay Area native. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz she worked for many years in food sustainability. However, her interest in psychotherapy began when she volunteered with the YWCA answering calls on their crisis line. Niko is now a graduate of Santa Clara University where she received her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. She has gained experience working at Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC), where she specialized in working with children and adolescents. She treated a range of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, and PTSD. She also treated depression, grief and loss, perfectionism, and body image issues. As part of treatment Niko worked closely with her clients’ families, providing them support and guidance to improve outcomes. Under Dr. Jakatdar’s supervision, Niko is continuing her work at Willow Anxiety & OCD. She is now applying her knowledge and skills to help individuals with OCD and anxiety related disorders. She is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals with a therapeutic approach that employs empirically supported treatment with a focus on holistic well-being.