LGBTQ Leadership Institute 2020: Nicole Holmberg

Nicole is a bisexual licensed clinical psychologist practicing at Birchwood Wellness in the Des Moines area, where she specializes in working with LGBTQ-identified adults. She earned her doctorate from Northern Illinois University and completed an APA-accredited postdoctoral fellowship in LGBTQ Health at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston. She currently serves on the Diversity and Social Justice Committee for the Iowa Psychological Association and is a member of the Sexual and Gender Minority special interest group for the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.

In addition to offering culturally sensitive and affirming care to LGBTQ Iowans, one of her professional goals is to contribute to the expansion of Iowa’s mental health providers’ knowledge, skills, and awareness in working with LGBTQ people. Before studying psychology, she earned a master’s degree in communication from UW-Milwaukee, where she studied interpersonal communication in the context of romantic and sexual relationships.

Nicole is originally from the Midwest but is relatively new to Iowa having moved to the Des Moines area in the fall of 2019. She enjoys eating spicy food, sweater weather, and private-room karaoke situations. She believes that what she lacks in vocal talent she makes up for with enthusiasm.