Delta Kappa

Workshop #1: Option 1: Creative, Compliant, and Courageous: Navigating the Pitfalls of Building a Private Practice

Featuring Nicole “Coach Coley Cole” Williams

Starting a career in mental health can feel overwhelming, especially when clinicians are balancing clinical growth, ethical responsibility, business development, burnout prevention, imposter syndrome, and the realities of building a sustainable private practice. In this empowering and honest presentation, Nicole “Coach Coley Cole” Williams shares the lessons, setbacks, and breakthroughs she experienced throughout her journey in the mental health field and private practice ownership.
Through storytelling, practical guidance, and real-world insight, attendees will explore how to creatively grow within the field while remaining clinically compliant, ethically grounded, and authentically themselves. This presentation is designed to support new and emerging therapists who may feel intimidated by the business side of mental health work or uncertain about how to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship within helping professions.

With nearly three decades of experience in mental health, Nicole Williams is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Substance Abuse Professional, transformational coach, motivational speaker, and author. She is the founder and CEO of Nick of Time Services LLC., an outpatient therapy practice serving Virginia and Nevada, and the creator of the empowering social media platform “Coley Cole Live.”

Nicole’s work centers authenticity, leadership, multicultural awareness, and emotional wellness. She has collaborated with practitioners, scholars, organizations, and agencies in areas related to trauma, substance use, depression, anxiety, stress management, leadership development, and self-care. Her work extends across clinical practice, consultation, training, and public speaking.

Nicole currently collaborates with organizations including:
• Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program
• Richmond Police Department
• Nevada Chamber of Commerce
• Roses and Wings nonprofit organization

Known for her motivating, interactive, and approachable presentation style, Nicole empowers clinicians, leaders, students, and organizations to overcome fear, self-doubt, and barriers to success while learning to lead authentically and sustainably.

Attendees can expect discussion around:
• Lessons learned as a new therapist
• Avoiding common private practice pitfalls
• Balancing creativity with compliance and ethics
• Building confidence as a clinician and business owner
• Multicultural awareness in practice and leadership
• Burnout prevention and self-care
• Finding your authentic voice within the field

This presentation is ideal for:
• Student therapists and interns
• Associate and pre-licensed clinicians
• New private practice owners
• Mental health professionals exploring entrepreneurship
• Clinicians seeking encouragement, mentorship, and practical guidance
Join us for a motivating conversation focused on growth, resilience, authenticity, and the reminder that, as Nicole teaches, “It’s never too late for success.”