Nicole Brito, LCSW, is a member of the Summit Health Behavioral Health team, having received her MSW from Rutgers University. Her area of expertise involves working with children and adolescents who are dealing with anxiety and depression and require intensive (PHP/IOP level of care). For the past two years, Ms. Brito has mainly done assessments with adults who are struggling with their mental health, substance abuse or both.

Her philosophy to patient care focuses on taking in everything the patient tells her, looking at the whole person and their experience so she can fully understand what has led them to this point and why they are seeking help. “The most important things for me are to create an environment where the patient feels that I am listening to them, that their story is important to me and that I am making an effort to understand their experience in a non-judgmental way”, says Ms. Brito.

Ms. Brito has always been interested in social work and mental health since she was in high school and it felt like a calling to make it her career choice. She truly loves meeting patients and hearing their stories. Many patients have been through incredible challenges, but they are still ready to ask for help and Ms. Brito reflects that to them.

She is especially passionate about meeting the needs of children, as that benefits all of us. When she is not seeing patients, Ms. Brito enjoys playing strategy board games, bike riding and watching television shows with fascinating characters.