Melissa Nichols, MA, LMFT

Melissa Nichols, MA, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist at the Family Attachment and Counseling Center in Chaska, Minnesota. She specializes in working with children, adolescents and their families who have suffered early childhood trauma including abandonment, neglect, and abuse.

Ms. Nichols came to FACC in 1997 and has received extensive training in attachment theory, post- traumatic stress disorder, parenting, Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused CBT, Neurological Reorganization/Neurodevelopmental Movement, Polyvagal Theory and practice (Safe and Sound Protocol & Integrated Listening System/Focus System), and equine assisted therapy (EAGALA). She is lead author of Parenting with Stories, 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 in psychology.

Ms. Nichols also presents nationally and internationally on topics of attachment and Family Attachment Narrative Therapy. 

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

Current & Past Professional Affiliations

Catholic Psychotherapy Association—clinical member, 2017-Present

Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family Therapy 2015-2021

National Neurological Reorganization Practitioners Association--member

Hogar de Vida (Costa Rican Orphanage)—Staff Member, Volunteer Screening & Assessment, Staff Enrichment, Consultant

EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association)  2006-2019

ATTAcH  1997-2010

United States Peace Corps 1987-1989, Paraguay, SA

Selected Presentations

  • Consejos y Trucos parta Trabajar con Ninos de Truama;  Teleconference with Hogar de Vida, CR, May 2022

  • Words with a Purpose: Transforming Childhood Trauma with Stories of Grace; Catholic Psychotherapy Conference, MN, April 2022

  • Beliefs that Drive Behavior:  Attachment and Early Life Experience; Cana Families Banquet,  March 2022

  • Healthy Practices During the Pandemic, 6 brief talks, St. Hubert’s Catholic Church, MN, April-May 2020

  • Navigating a Child’s Grief Journey, Southwest Grief Coalition, MN, January 2020

  • Tips and Tricks of Parenting the Adopted Child, Las Semanas, MN, July 2019

  • Being Present in Marriage, St. Hubert’s Catholic Church, MN, Cana Dinner, February 2019                        

  • Trauma-informed Education, panel, Bethel University, MN, May 2019

  • Through the Eyes of a Child: Trauma & Learning, Bethel University, MN, November 2018   

  • Los Efectos del Trauma y El Desarrollo de Niños, PANI, Costa Rica; September 2018 

*Other previously presented workshops on childhood trauma, learning, attachment, adoption and Family Attachment Narrative Therapy from 2002 to present include: Lutheran Family Social Services, Children’s Home Society, Minnesota ATTAch National Conferences, Adoption Plus and UK Mental Health Services, AHEC Florida Keys, Catholic Charities Conference in Wisconsin. 

Publications

Family Attachment Narrative Therapy. Nichols, T., Nichols, M, Lacher, D. (2018) in Attachment Theory in Action Edited by Buckwalter, K. & Reed, D.  pp 173-184.

Connecting with Kids Through Stories: Using Narratives to Facilitate Attachment in Adopted Children-Second Edition. Lacher, D., Nichols, T., Nichols, M., and May, J. (2012) London: Jessica Kingsley

What Works for Children with Attachment Issues? Nichols, M. (2007):  AdoptTalk Magazine

First Steps for Strengthening Adoptive Families, 2006, DVD, originated by Nichols, M.

First Steps for Strengthening Adoptive Families Workbook, 2006,  Nichols, M., Nichols, T.

Parenting with Stories: Creating a foundation of attachment for parenting your child. Nichols, M., Lacher, D., and May, J., (5th edition 2020).

Additional Trainings

  • Attachment Theory and Therapy

  • Autism Clinical Certification

  • Grief and Loss Certification

  • Play Therapy

  • Therapeutic Strategies for Attachment Disordered Adoptive and Foster Children

  • Treating Adolescent Attachment Difficulties

  • Parenting

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy with Children and Adolescents

  • Somatic Processing

  • Audio Visual Entrainment

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing-Level I

  • Sensory Integration

  • Polyvagal Theory: Safe and Sound Program; Focus Program

  • Neurological Reorganization

  • Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Equine Assisted Therapy (EAGALA)

  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

  • ADD/ADHD

  • Dissociative Disorders

  • Personality Disorders

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Addiction

  • Child-Onset Bipolar Disorder

  • Narrative Therapy

  • Complex Trauma

  • Chronic Pain

  • Suicide and Adolescents