Board of Directors Advisor Member

Getting to know our "Who" and "Why" behind the scenes!!

Karen Nichols is a SCP3 at the New Lisbon Developmental Center for the state of New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities. She has 18 yrs. experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness. Karen strives to help individuals and their families experience the best life they can whatever their cognitive and/or behavioral challenges.

Prior to working at NLDC, she worked directly in family homes and school settings providing both psychotherapy and behavioral services. She also worked in a lockdown crisis unit directly with children with severe challenging behaviors.

Karen also spent time facilitating a dual diagnosis support group with adults suffering from addiction and mental illness diagnoses. Additionally, Karen spent 18 months providing grief counseling and support in a hospice facility as part of her internship program.

Karen worked full-time and earned a B.A. in Psychology from Holy Family University in Philadelphia, PA in 2009 and an M.S., in Counseling Psychology from Holy Family University in Newtown PA in 2012.

When she’s not at work, Karen has fun reading, camping, and socializing with friends. She also loves planning trips and traveling with her wonderful wife.