We were lucky to catch up with Nikki Dalhamer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, thanks for joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

The defining moment in my career occurred during my first job in the addiction field, where I was the Education Coordinator at a residential treatment facility for adolescents aged 13-18 with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and co-occurring Mental Health (MH) diagnoses. Alongside this role, I was interning with hopes of becoming a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II. One of my duties was to lead group therapy sessions, and despite warnings about the challenges of engaging a diverse group of adolescents, I found that sharing my own background with trauma, SUD, and MH allowed me to immediately connect with the clients.

The pivotal moment came during one of my early group sessions, which focused on the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) assessment, exploring how childhood trauma relates to the development of SUD. I was able to hold the group’s attention for the entire hour, and, afterward, I invited anyone who needed to talk further to approach me. Two young Latino boys, who had entered treatment together, came to my office. They confided in me that they had become addicted to fentanyl due to exposure in their neighborhood and had resorted to performing sexual acts with an older man in exchange for drugs. This was the first time they had ever shared this deeply personal and painful experience.

I sat with them, listened, cried, and treated them as if they were family. When I asked why they had chosen to share this with me, one of the boys said something that forever changed my approach to counseling: “Because we feel seen, heard, and respected by you. You treat us as human beings and equals; you don’t judge us for our past.”

This moment was the turning point in my career. It taught me the importance of creating a space where clients feel safe, respected, and free from judgment, no matter what they’ve been through. From that day forward, my mission as a counselor became to ensure every client feels genuinely seen and heard. This experience solidified my belief that connection, empathy, and compassion are the foundation of true healing.

For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft etc, what type of products/services/creative works you provide, what problems you solve for your clients and/or what you think sets you apart from others. What are you most proud of and what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.

My journey to becoming a trauma-informed mental health and substance use disorder recovery coach and mentor has been deeply influenced by my personal story and my commitment to helping those who need it most. Having experienced firsthand the effects of childhood trauma, parental mental health issues, and substance use within my family, I understand the challenges that come with breaking free from cycles of adversity. Losing my mother to an overdose in 2019 fueled my dedication to offer a way forward for others facing similar struggles, especially those from low-income, disadvantaged, and marginalized backgrounds.

With my professional credentials as a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor Assistant II (CDCA II) and experience in trauma-informed recovery practices, I strive to empower individuals to address the root causes of their mental health and substance use struggles. Through my roles, such as founding Evolution Wellness Center and leading The Helen VanNatta Memorial Foundation, I’ve dedicated myself to making mental health and recovery services accessible and culturally relevant to underrepresented communities.

I have also been able to share my story publicly, both as a motivational speaker and on platforms like my podcast, “Evolution by Nikki,” where I aim to inspire hope and resilience. In collaboration with organizations like The Wellness Effect, I continue to expand my reach, working directly with veterans and others most in need of support. Each client, story, and session reinforce my mission to provide trauma-informed, compassionate care for individuals on their journey to healing and self-empowerment.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

To me the answer to this question is short, sweet and straight to the point. One managing a team it is crucial to celebrate every single win. It’s easy to focus on the pits and downfalls that may occur. However, once you take a step back, you realize how blessed you truly are and how many wins you really have, once you assess this, the wins often outweigh the losses .

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Again, the answer to this question is simple, I had to unlearn the need to be independent all the time. I needed to learn to let my guard down and find a way to allow my body to come out of fight or flight mode. I needed to let go of some control, and allow myself to experience life through freedom.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @evolution_wellness_center
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolette-dalhamer/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@evolution_by_nikki
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Evolution_by_Nikki