Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole (nikki) Lacherza-drew

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

I am a licensed psychologist and the owner of a virtual-only private practice. I launched my practice in the spring of 2019, initially offering a hybrid model of therapy, both in-person and through telehealth. Like many therapists, I transitioned fully to virtual therapy when COVID-19 hit. I briefly returned to in-person sessions, but the convenience of telehealth, preferred by both my patients and myself, ultimately led me to continue with the virtual format.

But how did I get here? In high school, I took a psychology course and immediately fell in love with the subject. Ironically, I had initially wanted to become a lawyer, but I decided against it, thinking law school would take too long. Fast forward to me earning my doctorate. Turns out, I spent even more time in school! Despite that, my passion for psychology never wavered, and I chose to major in it. I began my academic journey at a large state university but soon realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. I transferred to a smaller community college, where I earned my associate’s degree in liberal arts with a concentration in psychology, which meant I focused on psychology electives.

My parents were concerned about job prospects, as psychology is a field that often requires advanced degrees. After completing my associate’s, I transferred to a four-year college to finish my bachelor’s degree. It was there that I decided I wanted to pursue a master’s degree in psychology. I applied to graduate programs, including my current school, which had a master’s program that appealed to me. I was accepted and, during my final undergraduate semester, asked if I could begin taking graduate-level courses early. This was unprecedented, but I had met all the requirements for my bachelor’s degree, and I was eager to get a head start.

One of the professors who later became my mentor challenged me, asking, “What makes you think you can handle this?” One of the courses I wanted to take was his, and he certainly made me earn it. Spoiler alert: they allowed me to start the master’s program early, and I graduated with my BA in Psychology in May, continuing into the MA program.

While in the MA program, my school introduced a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program, which I applied to and was accepted into. I completed my MA the following August, in just over a year, and went directly into the PsyD program, which was a rigorous four-year, full-time commitment. After completing the program and meeting all the requirements, I became a licensed psychologist, initially in both New York and New Jersey. I opened my in-person practice in New Jersey, and since New York was one of the first states to legislate telehealth, I also became licensed there.

I was fortunate to complete my post-doctoral training with a group practice that not only honed my clinical skills but also taught me the business side of private practice. They supported my decision to launch my own practice in 2019, and I started out with a solid caseload from my work with the group. Over time, I became certified as a Telehealth Provider in Florida and obtained licenses in Vermont and Connecticut as well.

While building my practice, I also worked as an independent contractor with schools and agencies. Private practice can be isolating, so this allowed me to stay engaged with the broader field and explore various opportunities for growth.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

It hasn’t been a smooth road by any means. Throughout my schooling, I was constantly balancing work and academics. During my doctorate program, I started experiencing medical concerns and was eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. I distinctly remember my primary care physician and the chair of my PsyD program sitting me down and telling me that if I didn’t get my symptoms under control and manage my stress better, I wouldn’t make it through the program. That was a significant reality check.

The PsyD program itself was incredibly demanding. I worked full-time while enrolled until I had to start full-time clinical work as part of the program. At that point, I switched to working weekends. There was a stretch where I was working seven days a week, logging over 60 hours between work and clinicals, all while writing my dissertation. Looking back, I have no idea how I managed to juggle it all, but somehow, I did.

Adding to the challenge, my cohort was the very first PsyD class for the school. While it was exciting to be part of something new, we were also the guinea pigs, and there were definitely some growing pains along the way. The program’s rigorous demands also meant I had to sacrifice a lot. I missed out on family vacations, social functions, and special occasions due to exams, deadlines, and papers. It was hard, especially when people didn’t understand why I couldn’t just write my dissertation “later.”

On top of that, I was the youngest in my cohort, having gone straight from my BA to my MA and then into the PsyD program. It’s what I wanted, but I didn’t have the clinical experience that many of my peers did. At times, I felt looked down upon because I wasn’t raising a family or handling other responsibilities like they were. I was “the kid” of the group, and that sometimes made it harder to be taken seriously.

I’m grateful that I didn’t have to build my private practice entirely from scratch. In this field, non-compete agreements are common, though they are generally considered unethical. Thankfully, my post-doc experience was ethical, and I was allowed to start my practice there, continuing with patients who chose to follow me. However, as a therapist who doesn’t accept insurance, marketing presents its own unique challenges. Without being on an insurance panel, I can’t rely on having my name listed on their websites, which is a source of referrals for many. Therapists who accept insurance still market themselves, of course, but for those of us who are out-of-network, there’s an extra layer of effort involved since we don’t have a steady stream of referrals coming in from insurance companies.

Transitioning to telehealth added another challenge: I was now competing with a larger pool of providers. It wasn’t just a matter of being one of 15 therapists within a 10-mile radius. Telehealth opened the door to many more options for potential patients. This meant I had to step up my marketing and differentiate myself in a much larger and more competitive landscape.

Navigating the ever-changing landscape during COVID-19 was another significant challenge. At the height of the pandemic, I found myself working late into the evening, as many patients who had previously been discharged returned due to the mental health strain brought on by the crisis. While it was a “good problem” to be busy, it also reintroduced the need to balance my workload with my own well-being.

Private practice also comes with its own ebbs and flows. There are slower periods that require careful planning and management, especially in terms of marketing. It’s essential to account for those fluctuations and maintain a consistent presence, even during the busy times, to ensure long-term stability.

As you know, we’re big fans of Vici Psychological Care LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?

I am the owner of Vici Psychological Care, LLC, a telehealth-only private practice. The name “Vici” is pronounced “vee-chee,” inspired by Julius Caesar’s famous phrase “veni, vidi, vici,” meaning “I came, I saw, I conquered.” This name reflects my belief that we all have challenges in life we strive to overcome. At Vici Psychological Care, I specialize in working with adults experiencing anxiety, burnout, and depression, as well as those navigating life transitions or needing support with setting boundaries. I also offer ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) and conduct psychological evaluations for individuals seeking bariatric surgery.

What sets my practice apart is that I provide a concierge therapy experience. Being private pay and not accepting insurance allows me to tailor my services without being restricted by insurance company regulations. I’m able to adjust the length and frequency of sessions to meet each client’s unique needs, which is often not possible in traditional therapy settings. This flexibility allows me to offer a more personalized approach to mental health care.

Brand-wise, I am most proud of the individualized care I provide. I want people to know that at Vici Psychological Care, you won’t be limited to a one-size-fits-all approach. I am committed to making sure that each person receives the type of care they truly need, without the constraints typically seen in standard therapy models.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?

I see significant shifts in the mental health industry, especially in the realm of telehealth and client-centered care. Telehealth, which was already growing, has become a permanent fixture in mental health services, offering more accessibility and flexibility for both patients and therapists. I believe this trend will continue to evolve, with more providers moving to virtual platforms and utilizing innovative tools to offer therapy in a way that suits clients’ lives. This shift will also drive more specialized telehealth services and an increased emphasis on convenience, such as on-demand therapy sessions or hybrid models.

Another major change I anticipate is a deeper focus on client-centered models of care, which move away from the traditional approach of pathologizing mental health issues. Instead of focusing on what is “wrong” with someone, this model emphasizes personal growth, strengths, and self-empowerment. I think this is why the coaching realm has taken off so much. The stigma around mental health will likely continue to decrease (hopefully) as more providers adopt this approach, focusing on helping clients navigate life’s challenges rather than labeling them with a diagnosis. The future of mental health care will likely center around collaboration between therapist and client (see how I changed that from patient?), where the individual’s experience and goals guide the treatment process, making therapy a more holistic, personalized, and supportive experience.

AI is set to play a transformative role in mental health care. We are seeing it already and people have some strong feelings (positive and negative) about it. From AI-powered chatbots that offer immediate, on-the-go mental health support, to advanced algorithms that assist in personalized treatment plans, AI will enable more scalable and tailored mental health solutions. AI tools can help therapists better understand clients’ needs by analyzing patterns and predicting mental health outcomes, allowing for more effective interventions. While human therapists will always be essential, AI will increasingly serve as a complementary tool, improving access to care, reducing wait times, and enhancing therapeutic outcomes by offering data-driven insights that allow for more customized, client-focused treatment plans.

Pricing:

• Intake Session (60 minutes): $350
• Individual Psychotherapy (30 minutes): $167
• Individual Psychotherapy (45 minutes): $250
• Individual Psychotherapy (60 minutes): $333
• Bariatric Evaluations: $550

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vicipsychcare.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicipsychcare/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicipsychcare

Image Credits

Headshot: George Segale