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, Master Addiction Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, and National Board Certified Counselor. Her clinical experience began in 2004 focusing on addictions, criminal conduct, and mental health issues. Additionally, she maintains a current private practice providing counseling services, 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

Post-master's Certificate, The Colorado School of Family Therapy

MA, Denver Seminary

Master Addiction Certification, NAADAC: The Association for Addiction Professionals

BS, Regis University

AAS, Front Range Community College

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