Get to Know Me
Hello! I’m LaQuita McNickles, MSSW, LCSW, CLC, founder of Elevate By Belief, LLC.
I'm a certified life coach and licensed therapist specializing in coaching for post-relationshp growth.
I believe everyone deserves a life filled with joy, loving relationships, and purpose. I believe you have it within you to create a life that you love. I also believe it’s possible for you to get there, even if you don’t know the first step yet.
Why do I believe these things? Because I've lived it. By following a path built on intent, passion, and an unshakeable belief in myself, I found my purpose. My mission is to help you do the same. This is the foundation of Elevate By Belief, LLC.
My Journey
There was a period in my life where I felt a weight I couldn't fully name. I was doing work that didn't align with who I knew I was meant to be, living in city I was no longer happy in, and in a relationship where I kept hoping things would shift into what I needed them to be. Looking back, I was likely experiencing depression and anxiety but at the time I just knew something felt heavy and wrong, and that I was meant for something more.
That quiet knowing became the catalyst for everything that followed. I made a deliberate decision to sacrifice a good paying job for a lower paying one that would give me the experience I needed to pursue my real goal of becoming a therapist. I applied to graduate schools, including programs out of state, because I was already preparing for a new chapter regardless of how things unfolded in my relationship. When the relationship ended, it was painful, but it was also confirmation. We didn't share the same ambitions, the same vision, or the same values and I had already begun moving in a direction that reflected who I truly was.
I moved to a new state, earned my master's degree, and built a career aligned with my values. As I grew more settled and satisfied in my life, I began dating with intention. I was clear on what I needed and unwilling to settle for misalignment. That clarity led me directly to the love of my life. Every mountain I climbed brought me to this exact moment, fully prepared to help you build your path forward.
I share this not to make my story the centerpiece, but because I want you to know that I understand what it actually takes to move toward the life you want. That personal understanding, combined with my professional training, is what I bring to every client I work with. Too many people remain in lives that don't fit them because they're too afraid to do otherwise. You don't have to be one of them and you don't have to figure it out alone.
How I Work
I combine professional expertise with personal understanding to offer coaching that is collaborative, insightful, and tailored to you. No matter your reason for seeking support, we begin by understanding where you are, what you want, and what may be getting in your way. From there, we create space to process what you have been through, shift the beliefs and patterns that are holding you back, and take values-aligned steps toward the life you want and deserve.
My role is not to tell you who to be or what your life should look like. It's to offer empathetic partnership, honest feedback, and practical tools that help you challenge old limitations, move toward your goals, and create a life that reflects what matters most to you.
As an African American, heterosexual, cisgender woman with years of professional training, I recognize that upbringing and layers of identity, including gender, race, culture, sexuality, and relationship structure, shape how we perceive the world and move through it. For this reason, I approach coaching with cultural humility, genuine care, and curiosity, honoring your lived experience without judgment. My goal is to create an affirming space where you can feel deeply seen, respected, validated, and empowered to move forward.
Professional Background
I hold a Master of Science in Social Work from the Columbia University School of Social Work and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northeastern University. I'm licensed to practice psychotherapy in multiple states and certified as a life coach through the ICF-accredited Certified Life Coach Institute.
I draw on ICF principles and evidence-based techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and positive psychology to help you to move forward with confidence and clarity. Leveraging my experience within Employee Assistance Programs, healthcare settings, and the healthtech space, I bring a unique blend of clinical expertise and coaching skills dedicated to supporting individual mental wellness, resilience, and personal growth.
I've worked with individuals and organizations across industries including finance, legal, entertainment, and tech, with clients ranging from managers and programmers to HR professionals and fellow therapists. This range of experience means that wherever you are in life and whatever industry you come from, I understand the unique pressures and expectations you're navigating.
When you're ready to move forward, know that you don’t have to do it alone. I'd be honored to support you on your journey. Book your free 20-minute consult to get started.
Create the life you deserve!
Copyright © 2025 Elevate By Belief, LLC. All rights reserved.
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