We are hiring - see details below!

We are hiring - see details below!

Meet Our Team

Nicole Shifflett, MSW, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Serving Colorado and Hawaii residents

Founder and Director of Olakino Counseling

Nicole earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Oklahoma where she gained clinical experience at an OKC shelter for aging adults and a domestic violence shelter in Honolulu. She has received extensive training working with individuals who have experienced trauma. Her career in social work began nearly a decade ago in Child Welfare Services where she served families across the state of Oklahoma and later went on to become a Supervisor of Child Support Services. Nicole has clinical experience involving victim advocacy for military and civilian sexual assault survivors,  domestic violence, residential treatment for youth, human trafficking/sexual exploitation, and direct-practice therapy services for youth and adults.

Although Nicole specializes in trauma, she has experience working with a variety of problem areas such as anxiety, depression, attachment or relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, mood disorders, life adjustments, and behavioral disorders. Some of her research interests include intergenerational trauma, epigenetics, and environmental factors that influence behaviors. She is a trained EMDR therapist and has been providing EMDR therapy to clients challenged by trauma, depression, and anxiety. Check out the EMDR page for more information.

Fun facts about Nicole — She enjoys creating art such as embroidery, painting, and mosaics. On her days off, you will find her spending time with her family and two dogs, hiking, reading, gardening, crafting, or making baked goods. She is an adventurer and loves traveling.

Erika Tanner, MSW, LSW

Licensed Social Worker & Clinical Social Work Intern

Serving Hawaii residents only

“I strive to help anyone seeking better connections, healthier lifestyles, and true joy independent of the things going on around them”.

Erika is a veteran and military spouse of 25 years. After serving 7 years in the U.S. Air Force, active duty and reserves, she refocused her passion to help others live well and attended the University of Southern California earning a Master of Social Work degree. She is dually licensed in both Hawaii and Massachusetts. After earning her MSW, much of her time has been spent on advocacy and improving the lives of military families and children — especially those struggling with developmental disabilities and other exceptional health issues. Erika has over a decade’s worth of experience in the field of social work and held both non-clinical and clinical/direct-care roles.

Erika has led resiliency trainings, facilitated betrayal trauma support groups for individuals and couples experiencing relational trauma, worked in military community programs effecting social welfare organizations and services to servicemembers and their families, worked as a Preventative Behavioral Health Specialist for the USMC developing and implementing behavioral health prevention education and training curriculum, and served as a US Army Suicide Prevention Program Manager as the subject matter expert providing suicide prevention for the installation.

Erika also has experience working with families and couples on improving communication and with children, teens and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Anxiety. Her approach is always strengths-based — starting where her clients are at and seeking what will work for them going forward. She has led groups with topics on emotional affairs and pornography addiction. Erika has received training in substance abuse recovery and use of logotherapy to assist with self-harming behaviors. She is currently offering telehealth appointments Monday through Friday with evening appointments on Tuesday and Thursday until 6pm. Erika is licensed in Hawaii and serves Hawaii residents only.

We are hiring therapists.

Join our team dedicated to making a positive impact on mental health. We are a group practice committed to providing compassionate and effective therapeutic services. We offer great pay and the ability to make your own schedule!

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in social work, counseling, marriage and family, etc.

  • Licensed in the state of Hawaii, Colorado, or ability to become licensed.

  • Unrestricted clinical license (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, etc.) or LSW/LMSW.

  • Ability to work independently with strong communication and organizational skills.

  • Willingness to learn and grow as a therapist.

  • Interest in facilitating group therapy.

Submit an inquiry on our Contact page or click the link to email us at admin@olakinocounseling.com.