Welcome

WELCOME

New Vista Therapy’s mission is to be a source of support and growth for individuals and couples. If you are experiencing distress, uncertainty or disconnection, I invite you to explore the services I offer. You can contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation where we can introduce ourselves and you can ask any questions you may have.

I am Nicky Verster, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) serving clients in Virginia. My studies were focused on human development and how we function in relationships and I remain curious as I collaborate with clients to explore their inner worlds and their relationships.

Couples

Couples Therapy

Deciding to start counseling is a major step for most couples. I get that! My hope is that you will quickly experience our sessions as a safe space to explore your relationship and get a clear picture of where you might be getting stuck. The ultimate goal is that you will build, or rebuild, a strong emotional bond.

I won’t kid you here, some sessions may be challenging. Other sessions may bring a sense of relief and lightness. It’s all part of the journey of finding your way closer to one another.

I will, most likely, use the model of Emotionally Focused therapy, to focus our work. I intend that you will experience me as both warm and direct. We can be straightforward with one another as we collaborate and build trust between the three of us. That trust is a cornerstone of couples’ therapy!

Whether you are early in your relationship, considering a long-term commitment, or decades into a paired experience, we can collaborate to enhance your connection.

I enjoy working with clients from all backgrounds and orientations. I lean on the multicultural education and training I have received, while continuing to grow personally and professionally in this area. Coming alongside you as you grow and heal is the most rewarding part of my work.

Individual

Individual Therapy

In individual therapy sessions, the focus will be on your inner world. That’s another way of saying we will explore your relationship with yourself. We will also reflect on your relationships with important others in your life; your partners, parents, children, friends …. you know who they are.

You can expect a safe, nurturing and neutral space in which to explore your thoughts and feelings. Therapy is unlikely to be a linear journey; there may be some ups and downs, and highs and lows along the way. Bring your openness and your curiosity to sessions and we will explore together. I will support you each step of the way.

I can help you with life stressors and life transitions, relationship distress, anxiety, self-esteem, PTSD and other difficulties related to trauma.

I would be honored to support you as you create a life that you love.

I enjoy working with clients from all backgrounds and orientations. I lean on the multicultural education and training I have received, while continuing to grow personally and professionally in this area. Coming alongside you as you grow and heal is the most rewarding part of my work.

Meet Nicky

Hi, I'm Nicky

I lived in England for my first three years, until my parents decided to immigrate to South Africa, where I experienced childhood and early adulthood. In 1989, my husband and I chose the United States as our new home. We raised, and “launched”, our son and daughter in Northern Virginia.

Apart from being a “double immigrant”, I have been fortunate to have a variety of interesting and life-changing experiences, including spending a year as an exchange student as a senior in high school, working as a volunteer beach lifeguard, owning a bakery for six years, and learning to row and compete in an “eight” in my fifties.

Being a therapist is a second career for me. Over the decades I worked in IT, I did everything from writing code, to designing applications, to managing large projects.

All this to say, I have “been around the block”, and this helps me to relate to a wide variety of client experiences. At the same time, I am acutely aware that your life experience is as unique to you as mine is to me, and I honor that.

Education

Master of Science in marriage and family therapy from Virginia Tech
Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Psychology
Advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)

Credentials

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Virginia
Nicola Verster ~ License #0717002008

Professional Memberships

The International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Virginia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (VAMFT)
The Washington-Baltimore Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy (WBCEFT)

FAQs

Contact

PLEASE NOTE
If you are experiencing an emergency, do not complete this form.
Instead, you should either:

Call a 24-hour crisis center at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Text MHA to 741741
Call 988 or 911, or
Go to the nearest emergency room

I aim to respond to inquiries within 2 days. Often, I will get back to you sooner, although I typically do not work over the weekend. I will email you so we can schedule a brief (free) phone call to introduce ourselves where you can ask any questions you may have.