Melba J. Nicholson, PhD

Dr. Nicholson is a licensed clinical psychologist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University and is also Director of Community Outreach Programs.

She is a graduate of Howard University, and earned her PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in clinical/community psychology with a specialization in developmental psychology. She completed her clinical internship at Duke University Medical Center, where she worked in community-based mental health settings dedicated to treating children and families negotiating behavioral and marital challenges, as well as traumatic histories.

Dr. Nicholson teaches in our Marital and Family Therapy and Counseling Psychology graduate programs.  She also collaborates with public school staff, administrators and teachers and has created positive youth development programs in North Carolina and Illinois. She is a member of the School Age and Cultural Competence Committees for the Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership, which is charged with developing a comprehensive state plan that addresses the social and emotional needs of children.

Dr. Nicholson treats individuals, couples, families, children and adolescents.

Clinical Interests: Individuals, couples, and families; school age children; adolescents; adults; trauma and recovery; psychological evaluation

Family Institute Locations: Downtown Chicago, Evanston