Counselor

Nick K. Choate, LPC-MHSP, NCC

Nick pursued his bachelors degree in Psychology and Christian Studies from Union University in 2006.  Believing he was called to become a pastor, he later realized a deeper longing.  He was to use his gifts of encouragement, compassion, and teaching to become a professional counselor.  Shortly after being married to his best friend of 10 years, Nick went on to complete his masters degree in Clinical Counseling from Trevecca University.  During his year long internship and following the completion of his degree, Nick worked with a local behavioral health hospital in Nashville, TN.  There he learned to care for some of the most difficult and hard to love folks Nashville had to offer.  Many of his patients struggled with persistent and unrelenting mental health concerns.   For most, that meant only medication would offer them any sort of relief or clarity.  Others Nick worked with struggled with the harsh reality of it being their first admission to a hospital or walking with a family while a loved one progressed through dementia.  Nick treasured the work he did there.  The hospital allowed him opportunities to use his gifts to help people experience compassion and begin to take steps to finally heal their wounded minds and broken emotions.  In late 2016, after much deliberation, Nick left the comforts of the hospital to attend to his private practice full-time.  He continues pursuing the work he and his wife enjoy doing.  Nick still has a love for helping others and continues to see them at Thrive.

Thrive Counseling and Workshops began as dream turned reality laid on the hearts of Nick and his bride for nearly nine years now.  They have a passion to see individuals and couples grow and deepen their understanding of themselves and others.  For individuals it’s about understanding their story and how their experiences have impacted them.  Nick reflects on his own journey and the freedom he has been able to find, “There were things in my story that I didn’t understand.  They kept me stuck in the past and unable to move forward.  But, through my own work, I’ve begun to finally understand the story: what I had to do to get love, what I would do to find comfort, why it was difficult to trust and why I was afraid to talk about it.  My old ways kept me stuck and a slave to my past. Now, I can look back and say that I survived those things; I can think about those memories but relive them and so can my clients.”

For couples it is not just about being IN love but for them to BE love!  Nick is reminded of how tough relationships can be sometimes while reflecting on his own marriage.  “Marriage is one of the most difficult things you will ever fight for!  But, it is also one of the most rewarding things you can ever fight for!  We know because we have been there.  Through cancer, addictions, work and financial problems and family issues, we’ve just about lived it all. And, while we’re not masters we’ve learned a lot and that helps us understand what others are going through.”

When Nick is not working with clients, you can find him running and working out at the local YMCA,  tackling the trails of Warner Parks, roughhousing with his bulldogs, helping a neighbor with a project, or doing leather work.  He and his bride also enjoy craft beers and whiskies, trying new foods around Nashville and traveling to new cities.  Nick’s true passion is encouraging others to just be themselves!