Bonnie C. Nicholson, Ph.D.
Counseling Psychology Master’s Program Director
The University of Southern Mississippi
Department of Psychology
118 College Drive #5025
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5025
601/266-4598 601/266-5580 (fax)
Licensed Psychologist, State of Mississippi, License #43-706
Education
Marquette University
Ph.D. - Counseling Psychology - August 2001
Doctoral Dissertation: Applying the Stages of Change to Parents Participating in a Psychoeducational Parenting Program.
M.Ed. - Community Counseling - August 1998
University of Wisconsin - Madison
B.S. - Psychology with honors - August 1994
Teaching
8/02 – present Tenure-Track Assistant Professor
Director of Training, Counseling Psychology Master’s Program
University of Southern Mississippi
Department of Psychology
Counseling Psychology Program
8/01-5/02 Visiting Assistant Professor
Marquette University
Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology
8/01-12/01 Instructor
Carroll College
Alverno College
Marquette University
8/96 - 8/99 Graduate Research Assistant
Marquette University Parenting Center
Supervisor: Robert Fox, Ph.D.
Publications
Books/ Book Chapters
Fox, R. A. & Nicholson, B. C. (2003). Parenting Young Children: A facilitator’s guide. Sopris
West: Longmont, CO.
Articles
Ferguson, T., Leach, M., Levy, J. , Nicholson, B.C., & Johnson, J.T. (2008). Influences on
counselor race preferences: Distinguishing racial attitudes from racial identity.
Journal of Multicultural Counseling & Development, 36, 66-76.
Nicholson, B.C., & McMorris, L. (2006). The Role of Religiosity in Parenting Young Children.
Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 221-234.
Nicholson, B. C., Fox, R. A., & Johnson, S. D. (2005). Parenting Young Children with
Challenging Behavior. Infant and Child Development, 14, 425-428.
Burbach, A. D., Fox, R. A., & Nicholson, B. C. (2004). Challenging behaviors in young
children: The father’s role. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 165, 169-183.
Nicholson, B.C., Anderson, M., Fox, R. A., & Brenner, V. (2002). One family at a time: A
prevention program for at-risk parents. Journal of Counseling & Development, 80(3),
362-371.
Carey, L., Nicholson, B. C., & Fox, R. A. (2002). Parenting young children with congenital
heart disease. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 17(3), 174-183.
Cardona, P. G., Nicholson, B. C., & Fox, R. A. (2000). Parenting among Hispanic and Anglo-
American mothers. Journal of Social Psychology, 40 (3), 357-365.
Solis-Camara, R. P., Fox, R. A., & Nicholson, B. C. (2000). Parenting young children:
Comparison of a psychoeducational program in Mexico and the United States. Early
Childhood Development and Care, 163, 115-124.
Brenner, V., Nicholson, B. C., & Fox, R. A. (1999). Evaluation of a community-based parenting
program with the parents of young children. Early Child Development and Care, 148,
1-9.
Nicholson, B. C., Brenner, V., & Fox, R. A. (1999). A community-based parenting program
with low-income mothers of young children. Families in Society, 80(3), 247-253.
Nicholson, B. C., & Fox, R. A. (1998). STAR Parenting: A positive approach for parents of
young children. Early Childhood News: The Journal of Professional Development,
10(5), 45-46.
Nicholson, B. C., Janz, P. C., & Fox, R. A. (1998). Evaluating a brief parental education
program for parents of young children. Psychological Reports, 82, 1107-1113.
Manuscripts in Progress
Nicholson, B. C. Applying the stages of change to parenting.
Nicholson, B.C., Jordan, S.S., & Turner, H.S., Predictors of parenting in Head Start families.
Ho, B., & Nicholson, B.C. Ethnic Differences in Parenting and College Student Adjustment.
Presentations
Belsom, M. & Nicholson, B.C. (2008). Gender Role Attitudes as a Predictor of Domestic
Violence Attitudes in College Students, Poster under review for presentation at the
Mississippi Counseling Association Annual Convention, Tunica, MS.
Belsom, M., & Nicholson, B. C., (2008). Attitudes toward Domestic Violence: Race and
Spirituality Issues, Poster under review for presentation at the Southeastern
Regional Counseling Psychology Conference Atlanta, GA.
McMurtry, S., Ho, Bianca, & Nicholson, B.C., (2008). Who Has the Authority? Authoritative
Vs. Authoritarian Parenting, Poster under review for presentation at the Southeastern
Regional Counseling Psychology Conference, Atlanta, GA.
Jordan, S.S., Nicholson, B.C., Sterling-Turner, H.E., Binder, C., & Gryczkowski, M. (2008).
Child Routines, Parenting, and Externalizing Behavior in a Head Start Sample. Poster
accepted for presentation at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Annual Convention, Orlando, FL.
McMurtry, S., & Nicholson, B. C. (2008). Differences in Parenting and Wellbeing in African
American and Caucasian Women. Poster accepted for presentation at the Association for
Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Annual Convention, Orlando, FL.
Ho, B., & Nicholson, B.C. (2008)., Ethnic Differences in Parenting & College Student
Adjustment, Poster presented at the American Psychological Association Annual
Convention, Washington DC.
Nicholson, B.C., Jordan, S.S., Turner, H.S., Ho, B., & Goubert, S. (2007). Parenting Stages of
Change for At-Risk Families of Young Children. Poster presented at the American
Psychological Association Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA.
Ferguson, T., Leach, M., Nicholson, B.C., & Levy, J. (2006) Influences on Counselor Race
Preferences: Distinguishing Racial Attitudes from Racial Identity. Poster presented at the
American Psychological Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA.
Augustin, M., & Nicholson, B.C. (2006). Correlates of General Quality of Life in At-Risk
Adolescent Females. Poster presented at the Mississippi Psychological Association,
Jackson, MS.
McMurtry, S. & Nicholson, B.C. (2006). Promoting Single Fathering: Barriers to Single Father
Involvement. Poster to be presented at the American Psychological Association Annual
Convention, New Orleans, LA.
Nicholson, B.C., Schenck, J. & Spooner, L. (2005). Parenting Young Children: An Empirically
Supported Approach to Parent Training. Workshop presented at the Mississippi
Psychology Association Annual Convention, Vicksburg, MS.
Ball, G., & Nicholson, B. C. (2005). The Impact of Religiosity on Parenting Stress in Single
Parent Homes. Paper presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association Annual
Convention, Nashville, TN.
Nicholson, B. C., McMorris, L., Houston-Scales, T., Fergusson, T. (2004). The Influence of
religiosity, parent’s personality, and child behavior on parenting young children. Paper
presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association Annual Convention, Atlanta,
GA.
Fox, R. A., & Nicholson, B. C. (2004). Young children with behavior problems: An
empirically-based prevention program. Workshop presented at the Annual Convention of
the American Counseling Association, Kansas City, MO.
Clark, M.S., Greer, T., Beherens, C., & Nicholson, B. (2003). Impact of meditation, walking and
meditation-walking program on quality of life, stress and anxiety levels in college
students. Poster Session presented at the Mississippi Psychological Association 54th
Annual Convention, Gulfport, MS.
Fox, R. A. & Nicholson, B. C. (2003). Parenting Young Children: A Manualized Program.
Workshop presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association Annual Convention,
New Orleans, LA.
Nicholson, B. C., & Fox, R. A. (2003). Parenting Young Children: Treatment Effectiveness and
Stages of Change. Paper presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association Annual
Convention, New Orleans, LA.
Fox, R. A., Carey, L. C., & Nicholson, B. C. (2001). Children with congenital heart disease:
Maternal Factors. Paper presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association Annual
Convention, Orlando, FL.
Campbell, T.C., Jacques, M., Nicholson, B.C., Solliday-McRoy, C., & Stacy, S. (1999). The
partners in health clinics: Counselor's roles in an ecosystemic, solution-focused
collaboration to provide services to underserved populations. Paper presented at the
Annual Conference of the Wisconsin Counseling Association, Madison, WI.
Nicholson, B.C. (1999). Useful and Essential Professional Organizations: Benefits of
Membership in The American Psychological Association – Graduate Student
Organization. Presentation at the Wisconsin Psychological Association - Graduate
Student Workshop, Oconomowoc, WI.
Nicholson, B.C., Anderson, M., Fox, R. A., & Brenner, V. (1999). A manualized parenting
intervention for low-income parents of young children. Paper presented at the American
Psychological Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA.
Nicholson, B. C., Brenner, V., & Fox, R. A. (1998). Evaluation of a community-based parent
education program. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual
Conference, Milwaukee, WI.
Nicholson, B. C., Cardona, P. G., Fox, R. A., & Brenner, V. (1998). Parenting among Hispanic
and Anglo-American mothers. Paper presented at the American Psychological
Association Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA.
Fox, R. A., Janz, P. C. & Nicholson, B. C. (1997). Evaluating an Education Program for
Parents of Young Children. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association
Annual Convention, Chicago, IL.
External Funding
Grants Submitted
Nicholson, B.C., Madson, M., Jordan, S., & Turner, H. (2007). Increasing Treatment
Compliance in Parent Training: Inclusion of a Motivational Interviewing Component.
National Institute of Health. $450,000. (Not funded).
Dahlen, E., Nicholson, B.C., & Aten, J. (2006) Promoting Parenting Skills to Reduce Risky
Behaviors in Rural Adolescents: A University and Rural Community Mental Health
Partnership. Department of Justice. $200,000. (Not funded).
Nicholson, B.C., Jordan, S., & Turner, H.S. (2005). Promoting Parenting Skills in Rural US
Dept of Health and Human Services, $500,000. (Not funded).
Nicholson, B.C. (2004). A Stage-Based Approach to Working with Court-ordered Parents of
Young Children. Summer Faculty Research Grant, The University of Southern
Mississippi.
Contracts
Nicholson, B.C. (2008-2009). Pine Belt Counseling Externship, GR01942, $10,800.
Nicholson, B.C. (2008-2009). Pine Grove Counseling Externship, GR01942, $27,000.
Nicholson, B.C. (2008). Mental Health Field Training, GR00669, Pine Belt Mental Health
Resources, $19,200.
Nicholson, B.C. (2007-2008). Pine Grove Counseling Externship, GR01942, $27,000.
Nicholson, B.C. (2007). Mental Health Field Training, GR 00669, Pine Belt Mental Health
Resources, $14,400.
Nicholson, B.C. (2006). Mental Health Field Training, GR 00669, Pine Belt Mental Health
Resources, $19,200.
Nicholson, B.C. (2006-2007). Pine Grove Counseling Externship, GR01942, $42,000.
Lyddon, W. & Nicholson, B.C. (2005-2006). Pine Grove Counseling Externship, GR01942,
$17,400.
Lyddon, W., & Nicholson, B.C. (2005-2006). Doctoral Student Training Project, Pine Belt
Mental Health Care Resources, $21,600.
Nicholson, B.C. (2005). Mental Health Field Training, GR 00669, Pine Belt Mental Health
Resources, $9600.
Nicholson, B.C. (2004). Mental Health Field Training, GR 00669, Pine Belt Mental Health
Resources, $9000.
Dissertation/ Thesis Committees
Dissertations Chaired
Clark, M. - defended
Cooke, J. – proposal accepted
Ferguson, T. – defended
Schultz, P. – proposal in preparation
Schenck, J. – proposal accepted
Member, Dissertation Committees
Bourque, A. - defended
Futral, G. – proposal accepted
Gillett, D. - defended
Lambrecht, J. – proposal in preparation
Lark, R.- defended
Lawly, J.- defended
McCoy, V. - defended
McNab, M.T. – proposal accepted
Pinard, F. – proposal accepted
Pseekos, C.- defended
Starrett, L.C. - defended
Thornton, W. - defended
Yowell, D. R. - defended
Chair, Thesis Committees
Goubert, S. – proposal accepted
Ho, B. - defended
McMurtry, S. – proposal in preparation
Tomassetti, V. – proposal in preparation
Member, Thesis Committees
Bader, S. – proposal accepted
Braud, J. – proposal accepted
Czar, K. – proposal in preparation
Ferguson, T. - defended
Gryczkowski, M. - defended
Pinard, F. - defended
Speed, A. – proposal accepted
Starrett, L.C. - defended
Professional Affiliations
2004-present Member, American Counseling Association
2003-present Member, Southeastern Psychological Association
2001-present Member, American Psychological Association
2001- present Member, Division 17, American Psychological Association
Awards and Distinctions
2005 Nominated, Excellence in Teaching Award
2004 Licensed Psychologist, State of Mississippi
2004 Awarded, Faculty Summer Research Grant
2004 Nominated, Excellence in Teaching Award
College of Education and Psychology, USM
2004 Director, Counseling Psychology Masters Program
1999-2000 Awarded Arthur J. Schmitt Fellowship for dissertation research
Service Activities
Ad Hoc Reviewer Counseling Psychology Quarterly
Departmental Committee Member SACS Accreditation Committee
Counseling Psychology Clinic Committee
Social and Rehab Services Committee
Continuing Education Committee (Chair)
Faculty Search Committee
Counseling Psych (2004, 2005, 2006)
School Psych (2004)
University Committee Member Committee on Services and Resources for Women
Graduate Council Representative, College of
Education & Psychology (2007 – present)
Chair, Graduate Faculty Committee (2008)