Melissa Nichols, MA, LMFT

 

Education

Alfred Adler Graduate School, Hopkins, Minnesota

Master of Arts in Counseling in Psychology, Degree 1999

        

St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas

Master of Arts in Theology, Degree 1991

         

Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Degree 1986

 

Experience

 

Family Attachment and Counseling CenterDeephaven, Minnesota

Part-time marriage and family therapist specializing in work with children and adolescents who suffer from Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Duties include individual, couples, and family therapy; monthly instruction concerning the integration of theology and psychology; instruction in parenting classes and presentations regarding attachment and children. 1997-Present.

        

Cooperative Preschool—Pflugerville, Texas

Part-time teacher in cooperative preschool. Duties included curriculum development and teaching children ages 2-4. 1995-1997.

        

Legal Aid Society of Central Texas—Austin, Texas

Full-time paralegal specializing in housing law with low-income individuals and

Families. Duties included working in local shelter to ensure housing and services for homeless; representing clients in hearings for disputes involving Section 8 and Housing Authority; presentations to community centers in Spanish/English regarding services, housing and pre-need documents. 1991-1993.

        

The Cornerstone SchoolAustin, Texas

Part-time Spanish teacher for a private elementary school. Duties included creation and implementation of Spanish curriculum for grades K-8. 1989-1990

        

United States Peace Corps—Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay

Health education volunteer for a savings-and-loan cooperative. Designed and taught courses in sanitation, nutrition, first aid and childcare to families in rural communities. Trained community health workers. 1987-1989.

        

                  

Abilities & Publications

 

Languages:     Spanish (fluent)

 

Recent Presentations:     Attachment and Your Child; Russian Adoption Support Group of Minnesota, (2004); Tell Me a Story, Hawaiian ATTACh Conference (2004); Family Attachment Narrative Therapy, Children’s Home Society, (2004; 2006); Basics in Attachment: What Can You Do?, Lutheran Family Social Services (2004).

 

Publications:     Parenting with Stories: Creating foundation of attachment for parenting your child. Family Attachment and Counseling Center, 2001.