Dr. V Weighs In on 'RHONJ' Feuding
The psychologist dishes on helping the Gorgas and Giudices with their family problems.
If anyone on The Real Housewives of New Jersey has a tough job, it's Dr. Venus Nicolino.
The psychologist, nicknamed Dr. V., has been assigned to help the Gorgas and the Giudices overcome their family issues, which include seemingly non-stop feuding between Teresa Giudice and her sister-in-law Melissa Gorga and Teresa's rift with her brother Joe Gorga.
So what was it like to be stuck between both sides for their retreat in Lake George, New York? Especially during the violent smackdown between Joe and Teresa's husband Joe?
"It felt more like Shark Week than Real Housewives," she tells Bravo of coming between both sides. "Only I didn't have protection of a cage. I wanted to feel slightly removed and clinical so I could be most effective at being the cool, calm third party who was going to help these folks restore some problems. But it's hard not to get swept up in the frenzy when you're in the middle of it."
V also says it was important to Joe Gorga and Teresa to come together one-on-one since most of the drama between the two was being created by others. "There was no space for the two of them to just cool down, clear their minds and really remember who they are as brother and sister," she says.
Once the two sat down, both had an emotional moment and Teresa broke down into tears. V says it was a pivotal point on their road to recovery. "I think because they were able to rise above all this rotten crap that's been really hurting them both and the whole family along with them, they were able to look at one another and remember, 'Oh yeah. I love you, ya big lug."
For more on V's thoughts about the family retreat in Lake George—including how her Italian heritage helped bring them together—read our interview with the mediator here.
Watch Joe and Teresa's emotional moment and tell us: Do you think Dr. V did a good job bringing them together?
