Nicole de la Fuente, LCSW-BACS
Founder
Welcome to Empowering Expressions Therapy Group! I'm Nicole de la Fuente, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Board Approved Clinical Supervisor (BACS), and the founder of Empowering Expressions Therapy Group.
As a queer Hispanic woman who has called New Orleans home for nearly a decade, I bring a unique perspective to my work, shaped by my experiences growing up in Texas, my passion for the arts, and my commitment to helping others heal and grow. With over eight years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families, I strive to create a warm, supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered.
As the founder of Empowering Expressions Therapy Group, I'm excited to grow our practice into a trusted resource for the community by expanding access to quality mental health care, supporting talented clinicians, and partnering with local organizations to make therapy more accessible.
When I'm not working, you can usually find me enjoying live music, relaxing by the bayou, or curled up with a good book.
Elise Chaky-Damico, LCSW, MT-BC
Supervised by Nicole de la Fuente, LCSW
Hi there! My name is Elise, and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC).
I was born and raised in Louisiana and have lived in New Orleans since 2019. I have over seven years of experience working in behavioral health with children and adolescents, and I specialize in supporting clients with anxiety and depression. In my practice, I use a blend of music therapy and social work interventions to promote meaningful, lasting change. While I primarily work with adolescents, I also enjoy working with children and young adults. My approach is trauma-informed, creative, and rooted in the belief that healing happens when people feel truly seen and supported. When I’m not in sessions, I love playing music, traveling, dancing with my local krewe, and spending time with my family and pets (2 BIG dogs and 1 sassy cat).
Sarah Alexander, LCSW
Hi there! I’m Sarah, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and proud New Orleans native. I earned my Master of Social Work from LSU and have spent the past several years supporting students’ mental and behavioral health within the public school system. This experience has shaped the way I approach therapy, bringing compassion, curiosity, and a deep understanding of the many factors that impact a child’s world. I primarily support adolescents navigating anxiety, depression, adjustment concerns, and self-esteem needs, while also enjoying working with younger children and caregivers navigating ADHD. My approach is trauma-informed and rooted in CBT, mindfulness, psychoeducation, and creative interventions to help therapy feel approachable, collaborative, and even a little fun. I strive to create a space where clients feel safe to be themselves, build confidence, and celebrate those meaningful “lightbulb moments” that lead to growth. When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me at a live music show, spending time with friends, loving on animals, or planning my next adventure!