Melissa Nichols, MA, LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Melissa Nichols is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has dedicated her career to supporting children, adolescents, and families recovering from early childhood trauma - including abandonment, neglect, and abuse. Since joining the Family Attachment & Counseling Center in 1997, she has become a leading expert in attachment-based treatment and trauma-informed care.
Melissa has received extensive training in attachment theory, PTSD, parenting interventions, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused CBT, Neurological Reorganization, and equine-assisted therapy (EAGALA). Her clinical work blends deep compassion with evidence-based practices to help families rebuild safety, trust, and connection.
In addition to her clinical expertise, Melissa is the lead author of Parenting with Stories, the originator of the First Steps for Strengthening Adoptive Families program and DVD, and co-author of Connecting with Kids through Stories. She holds graduate degrees in theology and counseling psychology, bringing a rich, integrated perspective to her work.
Melissa also presents nationally on attachment, trauma, and Family Attachment Narrative Therapy, sharing her knowledge with clinicians, educators, and adoptive families across the country.
Education
Alfred Adler Graduate School, Hopkins, Minnesota
Master of Arts in Counseling in Psychology
St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas
Master of Arts in Theology
Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Professional Affiliations
ATTACH (Association for the Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children)—organizational member
EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association)—member
Hogar deVida (Costa Rican Orphanage)—Staff Member
Selected Presentations
Nichols, M. (April 2011) “Regulation and Attachment,” Bereen Baptist Church.
Nichols, M. (April/May 2009) “Treating the Experience of Early Childhood Maltreatment,” Florida Keys AHEC. Two day presentation focused on issues and treatment of individuals suffering from early childhood maltreatment.
Nichols, M. (October 2008) “Stories with a Purpose: Healing the Experience of Early Childhood Maltreatment Using Family Attachment Narrative Therapy,” Adoption Plus in Flitwick, England & UK Mental Health Professionals. Presentation focused on Family in Northampton, England. Talk focused issues in early childhood maltreatment and Family Attachment Narrative Therapy as a technique to strengthen attachment with an adopted child.
Nichols, M. & May, J. (September 2008) “Family Attachment Narrative Therapy: Healing the Experience of Early Childhood Maltreatment. Talk focused on origins and instruction of Family Attachment Narrative Therapy as a technique to strengthen attachment with an adopted child.
Nichols, M. (September 2008) “Stories that Heal: Treating Children and Adolescents Who Experienced Early Childhood Maltreatment Using Family Attachment Narrative Therapy,” Catholic Charities Conference in Wisconsin. Talk focused on issues in attachment, tools to help with regulation and attachment, and Family Attachment Narrative Therapy as a technique to strengthen attachment with an adopted child.
Publications
Lacher, D., Nichols, T., Nichols, M. May, J. (2011) Connecting with Kids Through Stories (2nd Ed.), England: Jessica Kingsley Publishing
Nichols, M. (2007). What Works for Children with Attachment Issues? Adoptalk.
Nichols, M., Lacher, D., Nichols, T., May, J.(2006) First Steps for Strengthening Adoptive Families, Deephaven, MN: Family Attachment Center (DVD & Study Guide).
Nichols, M. Lacher, D., May, J. (2001). Parenting with Stories. (3rd Ed.) Deephaven, MN: Family Attachment Center.