Véronique Nicholson

Psychologist

Master's (MSc) in Psychology - University of Geneva

Specialisation in Integrative Clinical Psychology and Affective Psychology

What I offer

Individual consultations

Are you going through a challenging time in your life? Are you struggling to overcome past hurts? Are you facing psychological, emotional, or relationship difficulties? Are you attempting to regain your balance after a highly emotional event or a traumatic situation? Are you trying to feel generally calmer and more grounded?

I offer a safe space where you can be heard, free from judgment and with respect for who you are as an individual. I welcome with kindness each person’s values, convictions, beliefs or religious background and personal journeys, considering them as sources of richness, grounding points, and areas to explore together.

Expatriate Support

The challenges of living abroad—whether individually or as a family, voluntarily or not—are diverse and unique to each situation, including:

Stress from the complex practicalities of relocation
Adjusting to difficult living conditions in the host country
Navigating relational dynamics in an intense team environment
Being uprooted and distant from loved ones in an intercultural context, which can bring a sense of loss of bearings, misunderstandings and frustrations
Being confronted to the realities of precarious conditions for people in the host country, unsafe environments, or potentially traumatic events
Re-adjusting after returning to the home country

I can support you before departure, during your time abroad, and upon return, as you navigate the challenges and difficulties you may encounter along the way.

Integrating a perspective from Christian faith, if relevant

If including a reflection drawn from Christian influences is important to you, I offer a space to explore the challenges you face while taking this spiritual dimension into account—regardless of your denomination or personal journey, whether you feel aligned with, distant from, or disconnected from this heritage.

Please note, however, that this is not spiritual or pastoral guidance.

About me

I am a psychologist licensed to practise in France holiding a Master's in Psychology from the University of Geneva with a specialisation in Integrative Clinical Psychology and Affective Psychology and providing individual counselling, primarily online.

Drawing on 15 years’ experience as an expatriate, working in multicultural teams in the international aid sector, including complex humanitarian environments, the cross-cultural dimension lies at the heart of my practice.

The specific challenges that arise in the context of expatriation—whether individual or family-related—are among some of my areas of expertise. As the mother of three teenage daughters who grew up as “Third Culture Kids” and were raised in a binational (Franco-British) home, I understand the richness and tensions associated with questions of belonging that come with navigating multiple cultural roots.

The reality of trauma has been a consistent theme arising throughout my professional journey, and I continue to develop competence in the delivery of treatments grounded in robust theoretical models such as Lifespan integration.

A deep understanding of church environments, including the abusive mechanisms sadly sometimes at play within this context, informs my practice when relevant.

Although not a native English speaker, I am a confident user with extensive practice throughout my professional life and on a day-to-day basis at home. I am therefore comfortable to conduct sessions in English, whilst regularly evaluating with the client to ensure a good therapeutic process.

I am fully committed to following the ethical standards for psychologists in France.

Training and experience

Academic training

Master's (2-year postgraduate program) in Psychology, with a specialisation in Integrative Clinical Psychology and Affective Psychology - Geneva University
Bachelor's degree in Psychology - Rennes University
Postgraduate Professional Degree (DESS, Master’s level) in International Humanitarian Aid, Emergency and Rehabilitation - Aix-Marseille University
Four-year undergraduate degree (Maîtrise) in Information and Communication studies - Lille University
Erasmus student - Faculty of Humanities - Nottingham Trent University
Political science preparatory program (Sciences Po track) - Lille University

Additional training

LI-ICV (Lifespan Integration) - Level 1 and 2
Debriefing for International Workers - Resilient Expat (Dr Debbie Hawker)
Counsellor Certification - ACC-France
Introduction to Christian Spirituality and Spiritual Guidance (ISCAS) - Year 1 and 2 of a 3-year course
Advanced Diploma in Counselling - Harare Christian Counselling Centre, Zimbabwe
Introductory studies in Theology - Harare Theological College, Zimbabwe
Foundation Course in Drama - Citylit, London
Behaviour Management in Insecure Situations - Bioforce

Work and life experience

Clinical Internships

Annecy Genevois Hospital – Centre for Victimology and Psychotrauma Unit and Post-Psychiatric Emergency Unit (UPUP)
Clinique de Belmont, Geneva (addiction and eating disorder care)

Volunteer and Project Work

Listening volunteer for a service collecting testimonies of victims of sexual violence in church contexts
Counselling in Zimbabwe and France
Facilitator for teenage groups on socio-emotional skills and mental health
Active contributor to the preliminary discussions for #NDAfree, an organisation aiming to stop the abusive use of confidentiality clauses in church settings

International and Humanitarian Experience

Long-term family expatriation in Zimbabwe
Humanitarian emergency missions with Medair in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; support to local charities in Lebanon
Protection Officer – conducting interviews with asylum seekers to determine refugee status, French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA)
Project Assistant – International Organization for Migration and Minority Rights Group International, London

Practicalities

Online consultations

I primarily conduct sessions online, using video-conferencing tools.

Online sessions offer the advantage of flexibility, allowing the therapeutic work to continue wherever you are without affecting the quality of the therapeutic relationship and process.

Occasionally, I am also able to organise face-to-face appointments. I am currently based in Samoëns, a small town in the French Alps, located about one hour from Geneva.

Sessions last approximately one hour.

Fee and payment terms

The session fee is 80 euros.

Payment can be made by bank transfer after each session, or by cheque or cash in the case of in-person sessions.

My practice is not part of the French National Health Insurance reimbursement scheme (Mon soutien psy). Consultations are therefore not reimbursed by the French National Health Insurance (Sécurité sociale). Depending on your health insurance policy, your complementary health insurance (mutuelle) may reimburse part of the fee.

Payment is due on an ongoing basis, before the next appointment or, if no further appointment has been scheduled, within 30 days of the consultation. To ensure a clear and consistent framework for our work together, any future appointments may be suspended until any outstanding payments have been settled.

Any appointment cancelled less than 48 hours before the scheduled time, or not attended, will be charged, except in cases of force majeure or exceptional circumstances.

To make an appointment or for more information

Please send your details as well as the reason for getting in touch. I try to respond within two working days.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday: 9 am-6 pm

Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Contact details

veronique.nicholson@gmail.com

+33 (0)7 59 74 62 80

150, route de Taninges

74 340 Samoëns

France