I Want to Hear your Story. Here's Mine

---

Victorious Counseling Services was started in 2019 by Nik Protasenia. Nik is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC1) in the state of Massachusetts. He is also a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in New Jersey and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the State of Florida. Nik enjoys getting to know his patients and is looking forward to eliminating the stigma that many feel about entering counseling. After working in a variety of treatment settings over the years, Nik decided to open his own practice as a means to not only help people, but allow him the opportunity to do it his own way. This is a great example of self-actualization, which is something he encourages all of his patients to do.

As therapists we are cautioned not to engage in so much self disclosure with patients because when you enter the counseling relationship, it is your time, not ours. I do, however, encourage everyone to be candid and tell me their story, so maybe if you know a little more about me you can understand why I think counseling is vital and the best gift you can give yourself.

I am a licensed counselor and advocate for mental health and physical wellness  with a decade of  experience in psychotherapy, mental health counseling, and related fields. I have led client-breakthroughs, recovery from severe trauma, improving self-esteem, helping guide clients toward self-actualization, and building better relationships. 

I am also just a regular guy, like you. I love reading, cooking, spending time with my friends and family, playing hockey, swimming, yoga, running, bike riding, and trying to improve myself each and every day.  I've always strived to be positive, but have never let that override my sensibility or my ability to reckon with the harsh reality life at times throws our way. 

I like to think that my niche or specialty is working with men, but it is not the only population I work with.  I address a broad range of issues affecting men including rooting out long-standing problems emanating from childhood, more immediate but no less painful issues around emotional expression, psychological and emotional abuse from intimate adult relationships, and coping with the social stigma of asking for help. 

Growing up, I was exposed to a lot of chaos in a household where many times I felt neglected and unsupervised. More often than not, I felt as though I had to learn a lot of things on my own. I can't tell you how difficult it was trying to learn life on your own.  It would have been helpful to have at least one piece of strong guidance and fortitude to help me weather the constant barrage of life's demands. 

I am a firm believer that the best stories in life are the ones filled with conflict. Think about it like this, when you recall your favorite book, television program, or movie what makes you relate to the main character? You find traits in the character that remind you of yourself, and this main character is likely going through a problem or conflict that you can relate to. The conflict the main character has to overcome is wrought with what seems to be insurmountable obstacles. Many times, the main character has to identify allies, remain open minded, and try new things  in order to become victorious in their story. 

    I, too, can identify with being faced with challenges that seemed impossible to overcome. When traumatic events happen to you in childhood it can be especially daunting since children are still  learning how to gauge the real world, and without a good support system there are many traps that can have disastrous consequences. My father passed away unexpectedly when I was just seven years old, and he left behind a wife and two children. Many men who struggle with emotions into adulthood often are raised without fathers. Furthermore, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of thirteen. Many adolescents go through the phase of invincibility where they believe that nothing can hurt them, but I knew very early on how mortal I really was. 

 Luckily for me, I found out that you need to identify people who want the best for you, and I sought out therapy on my own. It was the best decision I ever made. In addition to that, I found a lot of support and guidance from playing sports and becoming engaged in other activities that helped me learn new skills, develop camaraderie, and challenge myself to be better every day. Your best effort will change day by day, but as long as you do your best you can go to bed at night knowing that you accomplished all that you can.  These experiences have helped recalibrate the work I do with clients over the last 10 years with a renewed focus on men’s development, wellness, the way men approach relating, and their mental health.

There were, and still are, very few resources available specifically for men, and it still is taboo for men to talk openly about some of these experiences and the emotions involved in them. I believe a lot of men have gone through the same thing, and a lot more men will without the knowledge and support I am offering here. I do believe that things are changing in the world of mental health for men, but until more people open up and tell their stories the stigma will remain. My perspective is grounded, and relatable, which I feel is particularly important as men tend to relate better man to man rather than being spoken to from the ivory tower of professionalism. I provide candid and honest feedback, and once we can be honest with each other the real work will begin. Tell me your story! 

While I do like to specialize in working with men it is not the only population I work with. There are some other special interests I have, and I believe I can help people with.

CHRONIC ILLNESS SUPPORT:

I have been living with Type 1 Diabetes since I was 13 years old. It is a chronic medical condition that I will have to manage for the rest of my life until a cure is found.  When you live with a chronic disease you have good days and you have bad days. I am no different than you. Allow me to understand what you are thinking and feeling during chronic disease management. It will require a team effort to get you well.

SPORT PSYCHOLOGY:

I received my Masters Degree in Education from Boston University with a specialization in Sport Psychology. This is a relatively new field, but nonetheless I believe that people can learn a lot about performance enhancement when you have a grasp of what you have between the ears. I was engaged in and and still remain active in several sporting activities. I believe that athletics allows you to learn things you would not get from simply going into a classroom or a workplace. Physical activity is the best anti depressant, and only thirty minutes a day of physical activity is recommended for improvement. Plus, it makes you physically stronger and gives you the new mindset that you have the ability to grow into a more powerful person. Allow me to find out what you want to do better, and I would love to hear what you have to overcome. This is the essence of the human spirit. 

SUBSTANCE USE:

At the time I didn't know it but I had grown up around someone who used alcohol to cope with mental illness. Men are more likely to use substances to quell with emotional distress, but they are less likely to seek help for this. As a result, suffering in silence remains the most utilized intervention. Most addictive behavior is rooted as a way to escape from confronting life's realities. The majority of people who meet criteria for a substance use disorder have untreated mental illness that stems from trauma. Let's stop fleeing from life.

Allow me to introduce you to our newest team member, Brooke Valicenti, Masters level therapist. Originally from Massachusetts, she recently relocated to Southwest Florida, and she will be representing us in Florida! Check out her testimony:

As therapists, our primary focus is always on you, the client. However, I believe that sharing a little about myself can help build a stronger connection and give you a better sense of why I am so passionate about the work I do.

My name is Brooke Valicenti, and I recently graduated with my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My journey into this field was deeply influenced by personal experiences and a profound desire to support others. Growing up in the Boston area, I always felt a pull towards the warmer climates and dreamed of living in the South. That dream became a reality when I moved to the Southwest Florida area, specifically Fort Myers.

I was always more attuned to people’s emotions, but it wasn’t until the age of 20 that I fully realized my calling. A personal  experience, coupled with my own history of overcoming childhood trauma, has given me a unique perspective and a compassionate approach to therapy. 

Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of working in a variety of mental health settings. From providing support and counseling in an all-male correctional facility to treating adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in an inpatient dual diagnosis program, my experiences have been diverse and enriching. I have also assisted individuals in managing addiction at an outpatient methadone clinic and conducted individual counseling sessions for clients ranging from young children to seniors. These experiences have equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of mental health challenges and the ability to tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of each client. 

As a 24-year-old, I bring a vibrant and relatable energy to the therapeutic relationship. Growing up in a close-knit family instilled in me the importance of connection, empathy, and the power of shared experiences. My love for cooking homemade Italian cuisine, such as sauce, eggplant parmesan, and meatballs, reflects my ability to create a warm and inviting atmosphere where clients feel comfortable and supported.

Athletics have always been a significant part of my life. I played lacrosse at a collegiate level, and although injuries eventually forced me to step away from competitive sports, the resilience, determination, and teamwork I developed continue to influence my approach to therapy. I also coach volleyball and lacrosse, which allows me to stay connected to the sports I love while mentoring young athletes. 

My personal struggles with anxiety and depression have provided me with a deep understanding of the challenges many individuals face. Through years of personal therapy, I have developed effective coping mechanisms and a strong belief in the healing power of the therapeutic process. This personal experience, combined with my academic training, allows me to connect with clients on a deeper level and offer genuine empathy and support.