Deborah Fenton Nichols

Dr. Deborah Fenton-Nichols has been teaching in higher education since 2013 and is Walden University Contributing Faculty for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She earned a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision with dissertation research focused on clinical supervision in community corrections. She has a master’s degree in Counseling and is credentialed as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Addiction Counselor in Colorado, a Master Addiction Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. Her clinical experience began in 2004 focusing on addictions, criminal conduct, and mental health issues. Additionally, she maintains a current private practice providing counseling, neurofeedback, and clinical supervision. Dr. Nichols has presented at national and state conferences for the American Counseling Association, NAADAC: The Association for Addiction Professionals, Colorado Counseling Association, and Colorado Association of Addiction Professionals. She served as national Chair of the Student Membership Committee for NAADAC 2018-2019. Dr. Nichols served on the Executive Committee of the Colorado Association of Addiction Professionals from 2012 to 2018 and as a conference committee member for CAAP and NAADAC. Dr. Nichols is the recipient of the Colorado Counseling Association Outstanding Advocacy Award 2014-2015 in recognition of her leadership, advocacy, contributions, and sustained commitment to the community and Colorado Counseling Association.

Courses Taught

COUN 6100 - Intro to Mental Health Counseling

COUN 6626 - Research Methodology and Program Evaluation

COUN 6730 - Counseling Addictive Disorders

Education

EdD, Argosy University

MA, Denver Seminary

Master Addiction Certification, NAADAC: The Association for Addiction Professionals

Public Service

The Lighthouse, Board Member - Fort Collins

Lay Ministry Director/Trainer - Vineyard Church, Volunteer - Fort Collins

Awards / Honors

Outstanding Advocacy Award - 2014-2015, Colorado Counseling Asscociation, 2015

Presentations

Fenton-Nichols, D. L. (2018). Basics of Addiction Counseling: Pharmacology of Psychoactive Substance Use Disorder. Association for Addiction Professionals

Fenton-Nichols, D. L. (2017). Basics of Addiction Counseling: Ethical and Professional Issues. Association for Addiction Professionals

Johnson, M. M., Fenton-Nichols, D. L., Sage, M. (2016). Drawing a Picture: Helping Supervisees Conceptuall "See" a Co-Occurring Case for Treatment Planning. Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors

Fenton-Nichols, D. L., Johnson, M. (2016). Hijacking the Brain: Emerging Trends in Street Drugs Causing Havoc. American Counseling Association

Fenton-Nichols, D. L., Brenna, T. (2014). Invisible Barriers: Clinical Supervision in Community Corrections Offender Treatment. Colorado Counseling Association

Fenton-Nichols, D. L. (2018). Quality Supervision: Who's Responsibility is it?. Colorado Association of Addiction Professionals

Fenton-Nichols, D. L., Brenna, T. (2015). So You Think You Want to Work in Community Corrections. Colorado Counseling Association