Nora earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emerson College and began her career in professional services before pursuing her passion for mental health. She went on to receive her Master of Social Work from Columbia University.
Nora has worked in private practice with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults, supporting clients as they navigate trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Alongside her individual work, she has facilitated several therapy groups, including an Art Therapy Group for children (ages 6–10), a Trauma Processing Group for adults focused on mindful coping skills, and an Emerging Adults Support Group (ages 18–23) aimed at fostering community and resilience.
Nora takes a collaborative, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach to therapy. She integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Psychodynamic principles to help clients connect with their inner strengths and pursue meaningful goals and relationships. She has completed intensive training in Somatic Trauma Therapy and draws on her experience as a yoga practitioner and instructor to bring a mind-body perspective into her work, helping clients cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness.
Nora brings curiosity, empathy, and gratitude to the therapeutic space. She is deeply committed to destigmatizing mental health care, creating a safe and inclusive environment for exploration, and empowering clients to embrace both agency and compassion in their healing journey.
10 Things to Know About Nora Munson, LCSW
1. Why did you choose to become a therapist?
After working as a client in therapy for many years, I became aware of how impactful therapeutic relationships can be. I truly felt unconditional positive regard from my own therapist, which helped me to build healthier connected relationships and to embrace transitions in my life. Having such a positive experience got me thinking about my own interest in holding space for people and how I could have a deeper impact through therapeutic work.
2. What’s your favorite thing about being a therapist?
The relationship building we are able to do as therapists is such a privilege! It is amazing to witness someone’s vulnerability, celebrate their progress, and empower them in their therapeutic work and personal goals. I feel really lucky to get to be with people in such an authentic way.
3. What is your general philosophy and approach to helping?
I firmly believe that people can support themselves and move toward their goals when they have access to necessary tools and resources. My goal is always to listen and be curious when working with a client so I can understand their lived experience and to support them as they figure out the way to best help themselves.
4. If you weren’t a therapist, what would you be doing instead, or what would your life be like?
The truth is that this is exactly what I want to be doing. I’m glad I went back to grad school in my late 20s because I had the chance to explore some career options and make a choice that I felt really confident about. But my retirement dream is to work in a flower shop!
5. What do you do for self-care? (Mindfulness practices, exercise, etc.)
My most important self-care tool is my yoga practice. I’ve been practicing Vinyasa Yoga for close to 15 years now and I cannot overstate how impactful yoga has been for me. In addition to strengthening my mind-body connection, yoga has been a place for me to build a healthy relationship with my body, to build self-esteem and confidence, and to embed myself into a community of supportive people. I am eternally grateful for the way yoga has become so ingrained in my life.
6. What’s your favorite quote or mantra?
There are so many inspiring quotes and mantras that have resonated with me at different points in my life. But the one I always find most comforting is something my Nana started saying when I turned 16 and got my drivers license. Her “goodbye” when I would leave her house or hang up the phone would be “Drive in the slow lane and sing all the way.” Perfectly cheesy! She reminds me to take my time and to always find moments of joy and celebration.
7. What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
I think I would take my Nana’s advice and slow down! I was always so focused on reaching my goals and checking things off my to-do list that I didn’t really learn to appreciate the hard work that goes into reaching those goals or the slower moments in between until very recently — I’m still working on it!
8. If you could invite three famous people to dinner, alive or dead, who would they be?
I can think of so many different talents and skills I would love to master — singing, chefing, art making. But one I always come back to is to have a true talent for learning new languages. I think it would be amazing to have a brain that picks up language with ease to be able to communicate with people and navigate new places!
9. What’s something you are most proud of?
I’m most proud of the relationships I have built in my lifetime — maybe you’re noticing a theme! Over time I believe I have become a better partner, friend, and family member, which has positively influenced the way I show up in all of my relationships. I always try to listen intently, affirm and validate, and share my perspective kindly.
10. What do you wish other people knew about mental health?
I believe that everyone can benefit from learning about mental health challenges and practices, whether or not they believe it applies directly to them. By understanding mental health as a broad concept, I think we will have a world full of more empathetic, patient, and kind people.
Guiding children, teens, adults and families toward lasting change and lives worth living. Specialists in dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapies (DBT and CBT).
- Anxiety (including Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, panic attacks, school refusal and social phobia)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Anger Management
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Depression
- Emotion regulation issues
- Family problems
- Impulsivity and Behavior Problems
- Relationship issues
- Self-esteem issues