Meet the Team: Nicole Wells-Cimmino, LCSW

One thing is definite within the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone – our team is a team.  Each and every staff member not only plays a crucial role in accomplishing our mission to ensure our military families receive the care they’ve earned, but they do so from the heart and with a passion that can’t help but to inspire. Here’s a closer look at one such teammate, licensed clinical social worker, Nicole Wells-Cimmino.

Tell me a little bit about yourself, such as where you grew up and your background leading up to joining CVN?

I grew up on Long Island, NY in the town of Huntington.  From the time I can remember there were two things that interested me; the first was singing and second was working with people.  My mother was amazing at getting people to open up to her.  I remember watching this as a little girl amazed at her ability to create an environment in which people felt comfortable talking about themselves and what was really going on for them.

In my twenties I pursued my singing career having some success, but in my heart was always the thought that I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives and so when my singing career had run its course I went back to college for social work achieving my Master of SW in 2008 from Rutgers State University of New Jersey.

I worked at Youth Consultation Services with adolescent boys referred to residential treatment from the courts and foster care.  After this, I worked for United Health Group as a Lead Case Manager facilitating the ACA for families with disabled children.  Concurrently during this time I developed a private practice.  In 2016 I moved to Jacksonville FL to work at Lakeview Health which is a co-occurring addictions treatment center.  Jacksonville was a destination for me also because of the many military bases that are stationed here.  Since the beginning of the Iraq war it has been my primary goal to work with men, women and families of those in service.  When I was offered the job to work at Lakeview Health this was a perfect move toward the goals I had set for myself.

You’ve taken life experience and built a career to help others, what was your greatest takeaway from this process?

I am always blown away by the resiliency of people and their ability to heal and overcome obstacles.

How have things been going at the clinic since you arrived?

Succinctly, this has been challenging, but at the same time incredibly gratifying.  Building from the bottom up is not for everyone, but to me this is the culmination of a long standing dream.  As well, it is inspirational to see the team come together, discover strengths we did not think we had and to learn and grow together.

Have you faced challenges so far in your time at the clinic?

The paperwork is always a challenge, but it is a necessary part of the job.

What do you hope for clinic and your clients?

That the clinic will evolve and become the vital resource in the community it is meant to be.  For my clients, that they will find healing and a sense of purpose in their lives.

What do you like to do for fun?

I love to sing and write songs.

Favorite sports team?

Honestly, I hate sports, but if I had to choose a team – my heart is always in New York