On being seen

You've perfected how the world sees you.

This is where the rest gets the same attention. Anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, and couples — held privately, held to your standard.

nicole trister psychotherapist in new york
276 Fifth Avenue, New York
waiting room 2
Photo Credit: Trevor Parker
i. The Practice

A life that looks, from the outside, like it's working.

That’s often the problem. The same precision that built the career, the image, the relationship tends to run quietly underneath it — with nowhere to set it down.

Here, there is.
ii. What I Treat

Clinical work, held to a private standard.

01
CBT · ACT

Anxiety that hides behind competence — the kind that reads as drive until it stops letting you sleep.

02
Sustainable performance

The engine that built the career is often the one running you into the ground.

03
DBT · CBT

Honest, reflective work for people carrying more than they let show.

04
Gottman Method

A structured, evidence-based approach for two people whose lives are anything but private.

iii. Who I Work With

For people whose lives are only surface-deep from the outside.

The people I work with need discretion and live visible, high-profile lives — performers, comedians, athletes, founders, public figures — navigating private worries about perception, privacy, relationships, and consequential decisions. Having it together doesn’t separate you from needing help. Sometimes it just makes it harder to ask.

v. About

I know this from the inside.

I’m Nicole Trister, a licensed psychotherapist in New York. My work is grounded in research — DBT, CBT, and the Gottman Method — and in a willingness to hold up a mirror. From competitive gymnast to runner, I’ve learned that having it together doesn’t mean not needing help.

vi. How It Works

Care shaped around your circumstances.

i

Discretion first

Care shaped around the privacy your life requires. What is said here stays here.
ii

On your schedule

Sessions arranged around your life — in person at Fifth Avenue, or wherever discretion requires.
iii

A considered fit

We begin with a private consultation, to be sure the fit is right in both directions.
In Their Words

What patients are saying on Zocdoc

5.0 ★★★★★ Based on 12 Zocdoc reviews
★★★★★ Verified

“I have seen Nicole for about 2.5 years. Every single session with her had been very helpful and eye opening.”

BL
BL
★★★★★ Verified

“I have been working with Nicole for what feels like forever. I can't remember a time before Nicole! Meeting with her has become such a grounding place in my week. She's incredibly understanding and open to what you have to say. And at the same time, she is wonderfully straightforward and practical. She's able to bring all my worries, stressors, and insecurities back to reality and help me see what's truly going on. I highly recommend!”

EA
EA
★★★★★ Verified

“Nicole is a fantastic therapist and I can't recommend her highly enough. I've worked with her for over a year now and she's helped me build much better management strategies for the stress of life, health issues, and political uncertainty. Above all, I appreciate Nicole's practicality, and it's probably why I've worked with her so long. She helps me realize what I can and can't control and how to cope with that which is outside my control. She's a great listener and usually each session highlights at least one change in behavior we can try the following week to see how it helps. She also holds me accountable in a loving yet growth oriented way, such as highlighting when I repeat the same actions repeatedly despite talking about change.”

WH
WH
★★★★★ Verified

“Nicole has been my therapist for about a year and a half now, and I feel more capable of confidently dealing with life's stressors and uncertainties as a result. She has a non-judgemental and welcoming approach to therapy that makes it easy to open up to her. I recommend!”

MK
MK
★★★★★ Verified

“I've been working with Nicole for some time now and I can say that she truly cares for her patients. She has given me perspective on situations in my life as well as practices to implement. Overall, I've felt a significant improvement to my quality of life after having worked with her.”

DG
DG
★★★★★ Verified

“Nicole is personable, knowledgeable, kind, and fully invested in her patients. I always feel seen and hear by her, even in the moments where she nudges me to push beyond my perceptions and perceived limitations. Working with her has undoubtedly improved my relationships, my day to day and ultimately my mental well-being.”

SM
SM
★★★★★ Verified

“I have been seeing Nicole for months and have noticed a huge improvement within my life. She is attentive, patient and reassuring. Every session she makes sure I feel comfortable and understood. I highly recommend!”

CS
CS
★★★★★ Verified

“Nicole is an extremely thoughtful, empathetic, and skilled clinician who has helped me through many challenging life experiences. Nicole fosters a safe and supportive environment while also encouraging me to push myself in order to meet my goals.”

MN
MN
★★★★★ Verified

“Nicole is incredibly patient and excels at understanding/accepting multiple truths, even if contradictory while working to find a path forward. Nicole understands how to leave blank space and push when necessary. These are aspects that you would cherish from a great friend. 10/10.”

CK
CK
★★★★★ Verified

“I want to highlight the two years I've spent working with Nicole as my therapist. Nicole is truly exceptional. When I first came to her, I had a clear set of issues I wanted to address. From the beginning, she created a safe space where I could be vulnerable. What sets Nicole apart is her dedication. She didn't just listen — she went above and beyond every week, researching anything she felt she could deepen her understanding of. Nicole is deeply well-versed in a range of topics and therapeutic approaches. She views every challenge as an opportunity to grow, which, in turn, helped me grow and tackle the issues I was facing.”

BP
BP
★★★★★ Verified

“After my first therapist at this practice moved on, I started seeing Nicole on a weekly basis. I appreciate how authentic and honest she is while listening and helping me process the different topics I bring to our weekly sessions. She helps me understand different aspects of my life by pushing me to think beyond the surface and go deeper into my own understanding of self.”

CG
CG

If this is the care you've been unable to find, let's talk.

Consultations are held privately and by inquiry.