About Us
Here at Held and Heard Therapy, we use empirically supported interventions to help couples, families, and individuals move toward meaningful and lasting change. Grounded in the principles of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), we believe that beneath conflict, disconnection, or distress are often unmet attachment needs and unspoken emotions longing to be understood.
Our therapists start the process of therapy by meeting each client exactly where they are - in moments of pain, hopelessness, or disconnection - and provide a safe, supportive, environment where healing can begin. We then work collaboratively with clients to identify patterns that keep them feeling stuck, access the deeper emotions driving those patterns, and reshape interactions in ways that foster safety, trust, and closeness. Through this process, clients are able to move from cycles of frustration and pain toward experiences of genuine connection and emotional security.
We are active, attuned, and compassionate in our work—guiding each session with care while creating a space where clients feel truly seen, heard, and supported. Rooted in the belief that meaningful change happens through connection, our clinicians are committed to fostering authentic connections with each client in order to help them heal, grow, and transform their lives.
Our therapists start the process of therapy by meeting each client exactly where they are - in moments of pain, hopelessness, or disconnection - and provide a safe, supportive, environment where healing can begin. We then work collaboratively with clients to identify patterns that keep them feeling stuck, access the deeper emotions driving those patterns, and reshape interactions in ways that foster safety, trust, and closeness. Through this process, clients are able to move from cycles of frustration and pain toward experiences of genuine connection and emotional security.
We are active, attuned, and compassionate in our work—guiding each session with care while creating a space where clients feel truly seen, heard, and supported. Rooted in the belief that meaningful change happens through connection, our clinicians are committed to fostering authentic connections with each client in order to help them heal, grow, and transform their lives.
First and foremost, we want to extend a warm welcome and offer you hope in this difficult place. You have taken an incredible step forward in seeking help and support, and that takes courage. So, pat yourself on the back and get excited for the work that we get to do together.
Nicole Zens, M.S.Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #122319
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an Advanced Trained Emotionally Focused Therapist who has been passionate about helping others for as long as I can remember. My work is deeply informed by both professional training and personal understanding of life’s challenges. I believe that while pain is an inevitable part of being human, prolonged suffering does not have to be.
At the core of my approach is a commitment to authenticity, empathy, warmth, and genuine connection. I strive to create a therapeutic relationship where clients feel seen, supported, and understood, allowing them to safely explore and heal old wounds, repair relationships, and grow through life’s most difficult experiences. I earned my Master of Science degree from Virginia Tech’s rigorous Marriage and Family Therapy program. Over the course of my career, I have pursued extensive specialized training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, including hundreds of hours of direct mentorship with world-renowned EFT trainer Kathryn Rheem, as well as collaboration with highly skilled EFT clinicians. On a personal note, I’m married to my best friend and life partner, with whom I grow and evolve each day. We truly practice what I share with my clients—showing up for our marriage with intention, effort, and the understanding that no relationship is perfect. Over the course of our relationship, we have navigated many hard seasons, and have grown closer throughout them all. The latest being the season of parenting littles - so needless to say I truly understand both the chaos and the joy that parenting brings into the mix of life and marriage. These experiences, both personal and professional, have shaped my clinical perspective and strengthened my belief in the resilience of the human spirit and the profound capacity for healing and connection. |
Training:
Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy Advanced Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Specialities: Couples Relationship Injuries (e.g., affairs, betrayals) Depression Anxiety Low Self-Esteem Relational Trauma Healing from Emotionally Abusive Relationships (e.g., Narcissitic Partners) Populations I Frequently Work With: Couples (LGBTQ are welcomed here!) Parents of Young Children Polyamory/Polygamy Young Adults Middle-Aged Adults |
Nathalie Kaoumi, M.A.
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Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #145289
As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at Held & Heard Therapy, I am proud to support individuals, couples, and families alike under Nicole's supervision. I view therapy as a meaningful and reciprocal process—one in which I have the privilege of walking alongside clients as they overcome the obstacles to their overall well-being and happiness, while my clients are offered the precious opportunity to rebuild their worlds and transform their most important relationships (including their relationship to themselves) into ones filled with love, acceptance, and peace. My academic and professional journey began with earning a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chapman University, one of Southern California’s leading programs in the field. I have continued to strengthen my clinical skills through specialized training in Emotionally Focused Therapy and Somatic Therapy, and I maintain professional affiliation with the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. My therapeutic approach integrates Emotionally Focused, Psychodynamic, and Family Systems perspectives, while remaining flexible to each client’s unique needs. My primary goal is to help clients (1) become aware of meaningful patterns and past wounds that are interfering with their happiness, (2) face these experiences with self-compassion, and (3) build the tools and confidence needed to take action/make decisions that reflect this growth and healing. I strive to create a space grounded in sincerity, empathy, respect, and, above all, safety, as I seek to understand each client’s lived experience. My style is warm and collaborative, yet I also become direct when unhelpful patterns keep clients stuck. My personal background has been shaped by my experiences growing up internationally and being imbedded in many cultures. Growing up abroad and enduring frequent moves has meant that I have had to rebuild and redefine what “home” means to me. Home is a place that is safe, comforting, and yours – a place that nurtures you and invites your growth. I bring these experiences to my work by helping clients feel “at home” in their self, their relationships, and their life circumstances. |
Training and Leadership:
Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, Delta Kappa International Honors Society for MFTs
Specialities: Relationship challenges Depression Anxiety Complex PTSD caused by relational trauma Self-esteem Multicultural and other identity challenges Populations I Frequently Work With: Single Parents Couples Young Adults Middle-Aged Adults |