About Kelli Nicholson, MSW, RSW

Founder, Lifeline for the Frontline
Registered Social Worker | Trauma Therapist | Former First Responder

I'm Kelli Nicholson, a registered social worker and the founder of Lifeline for the Frontline—a mental health therapy practice dedicated to serving first responders, frontline professionals, and the broader community. Before becoming a therapist, I spent 10 years as a police officer in the Niagara Region and 5 years as a child protection worker. These lived experiences shaped my understanding of trauma, burnout, and the emotional weight of service work in ways no textbook ever could. You won’t need to explain the culture, the silence, or the survival mode—because I’ve been there.

At Lifeline for the Frontline, we support police, fire, EMS, corrections, border services, dispatchers, search and rescue teams, healthcare workers, educators, social workers, child protection professionals, probation officers, body transport specialists, essential infrastructure personnel, transportation workers, and their families.

While our foundation is rooted in first responder and frontline care, the skills and approaches we use—grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy—translate meaningfully to anyone seeking support. Whether you work on the front lines or not, you are welcome here. Don’t be dissuaded by our specialization—our therapists are trained to work with a wide range of mental health needs across the community.

My clinical work focuses on PTSD and complex trauma, using a range of modalities including EMDR, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, CBT, DBT, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. I’m also currently expanding my training to include Polyvagal Therapy and Somatic Experiencing, deepening my understanding of how trauma lives in the body and how healing happens through the nervous system.

In addition to my private practice, I provide reintegration therapy to members of the RCMP returning from mental health leave, serve as the Wellness Program Consultant for the Niagara-on-the-Lake Volunteer Fire Department, and have offered volunteer therapeutic support during peer-to-peer meetings with Badge of Life Canada, a national support network for first responders.

Our team includes three additional therapists, each bringing their own specialties—from couples counseling and therapy for children and teens (especially those in first responder families), to sports psychotherapy and support through major life transitions.

At Lifeline for the Frontline, we are committed to providing a safe, grounded, and affirming space for healing, resilience, and growth—for those who serve and for anyone ready to take the next step in their mental wellness journey.