Name: Nikolaus Johnson
Graduation Year(s): 2014 and 2016
Major(s): Psychology (Undergraduate), Clinical Mental Health Counseling (masters)
Current Position/Job Title: Mental Health Therapist, Consultant, and Business Owner
City and State: Fort Worth, Texas
Tell us about your career and what you do now.
I am a licensed mental health counselor, business owner, and consultant based in Fort Worth, Texas. I provide continuing education trainings for professionals in the field and serve as an adjunct professor of psychology for Evangel University Online. I enjoy working with clients who have experienced complex trauma, and severe mental health issues.
Tell us one achievement or accomplishment that stands out in your career!
The most rewarding part of my work is witnessing clients move from a place of seemingly hopeless chronic fear to one of empowerment and fulfillment through post-traumatic growth.
What is your favorite memory from your time as a student?
My favorite memory from school was meeting my wife during a launch group ironically, it wasn’t even my group! I had just wandered in by chance.
How did your school help you identify/develop your calling?
I came to Evangel planning on going into missions, but my time there reshaped my understanding of calling. Evangel helped demystify the idea of vocation, showing me that serving people right where I am, and living a faithful, grounded life is just as meaningful. It gave me the freedom to be a normal person, doing a normal job, and trust that God is fully present in that.
How did your experience as a student prepare you for life after graduation?
At Evangel, I made lifelong friends, including my wife, but the impact went far beyond relationships. My time there reshaped my worldview and taught me to look beyond cultural narratives within the church I grew up in. Evangel gave me a new lens for reading Scripture, one rooted in depth and context. Today, I approach the Bible, especially the Sermon on the Mount, not just as text, but as a guide for how I live.
What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce?
Maintain the connections you’ve built in school, with both friends and faculty. Stay curious and continue to learn, be open to feedback, and view mistakes as valuable opportunities for growth.
What would you look for if you were in a position to hire new graduates from Evangel?
I have had the opportunity to hire an Evangel graduate! What I have looked for is: Humility, Compassion, Generosity, and a love of learning.