Hidden Gems: Meet Elani Engelken of Elani Nicole Coaching and Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elani Engelken

Hi Elani, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The beginnings of my story are multifaceted so let’s see if I can sum this up somewhat succinctly. I grew up in central Denver to parents that are deeply committed to social justice work and artistic expression. I spent much of my childhood in the dance studio which provided many positive experiences but also excaberbated a predisposition to anxiety, perfectionism and eating disorder behavior. Moving to New York City in my early 20’s forced me to begin untangling the roots of my dysfunctional behaviors. I began a deep dive in psychology, spirituality and body work.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have found that my personal struggles are also the greatest teachers and all of those experiences enrich what I am able to offer to clients. Four years into a career as a life coach, I got out of an emotionally abusive relationship and felt angry, lost and bewildered… I was in a career counseling people in living healthy, fulfilling lives and I didn’t understand how I had gotten myself into such a painful relationship. At this time I began working with my own therapist, a magical human that I continued work with for the next 5 years. He helped me get under the flowery language of the self-development field and really begin confronting my personal demons.
It was this experience that lead me to pursue a masters in counseling psychology. I wanted to understand the human psyche better, I wanted to feel equipped to work with anything!

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a psychotherapist, dancer, and artist, I offer a holistic and embodied approach to healing. My practice focuses on helping individuals reconnect with their bodies and explore physical symptomology as a gateway to deeper emotional and mental healing. In a world that often prioritizes intellectual understanding over experiential wisdom, my work challenges the traditional confines of talk therapy by bringing the body into the healing process.
The core of my work is a blend of movement, somatic therapy, and traditional psychotherapy. I specialize in:
Somatic Healing: Using the body as a tool to unlock deep-seated trauma, emotions, and memories that are often stored in physical form. Movement and body awareness are key elements of the healing journey.
Trauma-Informed Therapy: Helping individuals address past wounds and emotional pain with a compassionate, body-based approach that honors the wisdom of the physical body..
Mind-Body Connection: Fostering a deeper understanding of how our physical experiences, emotions, and thoughts are interconnected and how we can use the body to regain balance, health, and peace.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I genuinely love what I do, and every day, I look forward to the opportunity to work with my clients. Healing can be a confronting, often painful process, but it’s also filled with profound transformation. And while we dive deep into the tough stuff, there’s also an undeniable sense of love and humor that flows throughout our work together. I believe that humor and lightness are not just important—they’re essential. They help us move through the hard moments and create space for genuine growth.
I deeply believe in the power of community and connection in the healing process. True transformation doesn’t happen in isolation—it thrives when we are seen, supported, and witnessed by others. That’s why, in addition to individual therapy, I offer sessions for couples and therapy groups. Whether you’re working through personal struggles or navigating relationships, the relational aspects of therapy are a vital part of the transformation process.

Pricing:

• 50/minute sessions, $165
• hour sessions, $195
• Groups and Workshops, $45-65

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elaninicole.com
• Instagram: @elaninicole