About
Nyck Walsh, MA, LPC
Throughout the course of the pandemic, both Nyck and The Infinite U went through a bit of an internal and external overhaul, and the organization shifted again. This time, the shift meant letting go of social groups and the focus on kids and teens, and they transitioned who they serve to focus on adults of all ages. After moving to Massachusetts from Colorado, getting married, and Nyck’s continued growth and evolution, The Infinite U transformed into Nyck Walsh Counseling & Training Center and now exists on the unceded lands of the Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy), Agawam, and Pawtucket.As a social justice, anti-oppression counselor, Nyck recognizes that he holds both privileged and marginalized identities and that these directly inform his lived experience. As a white, queer, trans, Autistic, highly sensitive, empathic, Jewish human/earth-suit wearer, he is deeply invested in continual exploration and unpacking of these identities in support of liberation for all humans. These days, Nyck really feels the complexity around their Jewish identity and feels the importance of sharing a resource that expresses what being Jewish does and doesn’t mean for them. Please click here to learn more: www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/resource/zionism/
When not helping people in their professional role, Nyck loves being silly or adventurous or serious (sometimes all at once) with their family. He enjoys being in nature, hiking with their pup and kitty, frolicking through the trees, and spending time at the beach. They also love to bask in solitude with their noise canceling headphones and the softest ever cozy blanket.
Since pre-adolescence Nyck (he/him, they/them) has been passionate about self-growth, justice, and contributing to the betterment of planet Earth. From leadership roles in environmental organizations, to delving into spirituality, holistic health, and yoga, and later to social justice and somatic counseling, Nyck’s path has been one of growth, service, and justice.
After a lot of wandering (floundering is probably more accurate ;-) during the very difficult decade of their 20s, Nyck had a pivotal moment in the late 00’s (roughly 2008 or 2009) that impacted the trajectory of their future. He had a serendipitous opportunity to teach a yoga class to Autistic kids and their families. Suddenly Nyck’s most ridiculed parts of themself-their gentleness, sensitivity, seriousness, and playfulness-quickly became their greatest assets. This inspired the creation of The Infinite U in 2009, an organization focused on yoga for Autistic youth. After going to Naropa University for graduate school in somatic psychotherapy, the organization evolved into a somatic-oriented counseling practice and builder of social communities for Autistic adolescents. It was this sense of being “at home” with Autistic people that ignited Nyck’s quest to better understand his own unique brain body wiring. Highly Sensitive captured some of it, Empath captured more, but it wasn’t until listening to and learning more from the #ActuallyAutistic community that things clicked. “Yes, I am Autistic, too!” (and then came the imposter syndrome, excitement, grief, fear, and LIBERATION).
The Story Behind The Name “Nyck Walsh Counseling & Training Center”
For a long time, Nyck didn’t understand why people named their businesses after themselves. He loved his organization being called “The Infinite U” because it didn’t center him, it was about the people he served connecting with themselves in a greater way. It was “of Nyck,” but not “about Nyck.”
Fast forward years later to Nyck’s series of coming outs, starting with “I’m so gay!” (which later got traded out for “I’m so queer!”), followed by, “nope, definitely not a woman.” Non-binary felt much more accurate, though that journey continues to evolve, too, with some added flair of trans-masculine or trans as a catch-all-phrase for “not cis.” Along the way, Nyck was inspired to change their name from the one given to them by their parents.
It was the middle of the night and they were awoken to a nudge to go meditate. His dad’s presence appeared and lulled him into a most sacred and profoundly unexpected experience (by that point, his dad had been dead for over 15 years). Nyck was in the process of exploring what name would be a better, more expansive fit for them in their trans identity. Their dad offered them a message: “whatever you choose, choose something that means “victory.”
This message inspired Nyck to do a little research about his given name. To his utter surprise, it turned out that the name his parents gave him meant “victory of the people.” Talk about a “whoa!” type of moment. Inspired by their dad, Nyck got creative and made the choice to give themself a new version of that name. Nick, or Nic or Nik didn’t capture who Nyck was becoming. Instead, they opted for creativity and came up with Nyck. They knew they needed something different, uniquely them.
Fast forward another year or so and Nyck was ready to make their name change legal. This offered a lot of permission and an opportunity to change their other names, too, including middle and last. By that point, Nyck was the only “Calvano” left in their immediate family of origin, the name of their dad’s dad. “Calvano” felt synonymous with “lonely” and “trauma.” He was growing his new life with his partner, and noticed that his partner’s last name evoked a sense of “belonging” for him. “Walsh” felt like community, being a part of something bigger, having a “place” in this world. Choosing “Walsh” felt like permission to let go and choose a new beginning, a new future.
While they were at it, they figured they might as well choose a new middle name, too. All this permission and choice! Inspired by another spiritual experience with the support of a sacred plant medicine, Nyck was called to choose “Metatron” as their middle name. Metatron is known as the archangel of the sensitive ones, and is one of very few archangels believed to have transcended from human form. As a human, Metatron was known as Enoch, a scribe, and Nyck has always loved to write! Also, the “M” offered an honoring to his mom who had died several years earlier (the Jews believe in honoring the dead by naming the living after them, whether the exact name or an initial).
While it felt almost too darn badass to receive/take on, Nyck had his new name: Nyck Metatron Walsh, translated as Victory, supported by the overseer of the sensitive, Belonging. This name was so much bigger than Nyck himself. This name was an invocation, an intention of heart and soul desire, and something to be called. From this place of leaning into internal and external expansion, Nyck was inspired to re-name his organization to include his new name.
At the same time, his work was growing to include not just counseling clients, but also counselor education and advocacy. Nyck had come up with other ideas, but the addition of “Training Center” evoked a feeling of expansion, possibility, and inspiration. It was scary, but exciting! Nyck knew that was the feeling he wanted to grow into and allow the future to unfold in ways he couldn’t yet imagine.
When they put it all together, it became “Nyck Walsh Counseling and Training Center.” While yes, it includes their name, their name is so much bigger than themself. It is a desire for all to experience the victory of being themselves, of being known, of celebrating the small moments, of safety, freedom and liberation. To be deeply supported by that which is bigger than ourselves, including nature and the spirit realm, and for all of us to experience a sense of being a part of community, feeling connected to others, of belonging.
And thus, The Infinite U transformed into Nyck Walsh Counseling and Training Center.