Stella M. Nicholson

Stella M. Nicholson is a Professional Lecturer at National Louis University, where she has been employed for over 20 years. She specializes in addiction and mental health counseling, family interventions, and group counseling. Her research focuses on transgender youth and families in crisis. Nicholson also maintains a private practice, Stella M. Nicholson & Associates, and serves as a consultant and trainer for treatment facilities and criminal justice systems.

Education: B.A. in Addictions and Family Interventions from Northeastern University; M.A. in Human Services from Concordia University; Postgraduate studies in Gestalt Integrated Family Therapy from the Gestalt Institute.

Professional Roles: Adjunct faculty at multiple institutions including Felician, Northeastern, and Waubonsee; Past President of the Illinois Certification Board (ICB); Author of two workbooks: Addictions, Relationships and The Twelve Step Connection and ACOA Journey To Recovery.

Affiliations: American Counseling Association (ACA), Illinois Counseling Association (ICA), Illinois Certification Board (ICB), Illinois Mental Health Association (IMHCA).

Nicholson has over 45 years of experience in the addiction and mental health field, including roles as Aftercare Program Director at Cottonwood de Tucson and marketing roles in treatment facilities. Her work emphasizes integrated approaches to counseling and staff development.