Dr. Nicole Bassil is a psychologist and postdoctoral Fellow at Lepage Associates. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in forensic mental health counseling at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology at Xavier University. Dr. Bassil has worked in various settings ranging from private practice, college counseling centers, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, state certified forensic centers, a forensic state hospital, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, with one specialty area being working with forensic populations in both intervention and assessment capacities. She has experience conducting a broad range of evaluations to include thorough forensic evaluations and psychodiagnostic assessments, providing practical treatment recommendations. Dr. Bassil also provides psychotherapy, and has enjoyed working on multidisciplinary teams.
Intervention Style: Dr. Bassil utilizes integrated evidenced-based approaches through primarily third wave cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT), including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques. She emphasizes collaboration between clinician and client to identify treatment goals that are solution-focused. More specifically, common treatment strategies include challenging maladaptive thought patterns, restructuring negative thoughts, and implementing acceptance strategies to empower clients to reach their treatment goals. She also frequently incorporates mindfulness-based interventions, identification of values, and motivational interviewing to promote self-growth. Dr. Bassil values the imperative foundation of rapport to build a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship and environment for all ages she works with.
Therapy Experience: Dr. Bassil has experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. She has worked with clients presenting with a wide variety of problems including but not limited to mood-related symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, interpersonal difficulties, stress management, life transitions, social skills, academic difficulties, emotion regulation, and personality dysfunction. Her intervention experience has been focused on providing individual and group therapy. Individually, Dr. Bassil has a variety of clinical experiences ranging from brief, solution-focused CBT to longer-term treatment in outpatient, inpatient, and correctional settings. Her group therapy experiences include both process and psychoeducational groups, including but not limited to mentalization based therapy, anger management, and criminal thinking.
Evaluation Experience: Dr. Bassil has significant training and experience conducting psychological assessments. She has worked across various settings conducting thorough evaluations to address a range of referral questions including diagnostic clarification of psychopathology, personality, intellectual, and cognitive concerns. Additionally, her evaluations provide detailed recommendations to inform treatment. Dr. Bassil has also conducted court-ordered forensic evaluations regarding competency to stand trial, mental state at the time of the offense, mitigation of sentence, and advisability of treatment, to name a few. She has experience conducting complex evaluations in outpatient, inpatient, correctional, and forensic settings at both the state and federal levels.
Research: Dr. Bassil’s doctoral research focused on investigating vulnerability factors that impact potential jurors’ perceptions of false confessions. In addition to her doctoral dissertation, she completed a master’s thesis on coercive control tactics in long-term sex trafficking relationships.
Personal: Dr. Bassil spends much of her free time with family and friends. She also enjoys cheering on her sports teams, refurbishing furniture, and making arts and crafts.