Debra Nixon,
Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Family Therapy
Nova Southeastern University
Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences
3301 College Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314
Phone: (954) 262-3008
Toll Free: 800-262-7978
Fax: (954) 262-3968
Email: nixond@nsu.nova.edu
Dr. Debra Ann Nixon, a native of Dallas, Texas, is a dynamic lecturer and voice of women’s issues. She matriculated through the Texas educational system where she received a high school diploma from South Oak Cliff High, Dallas, Texas; a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Texas at Austin; a Masters of Arts Degree from Texas Woman’s University at Denton; and her Doctorate of Philosophy Degree in Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Debra also studied Family Counseling and Religious Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. Biblical Studies was her first love, as her first book, Womanhood: a Journey towards Love, is a self-publication that combines her excitement about women’s issues and her love for biblical studies. Additionally, her doctoral dissertation (October 2000) highlights the experiences—voices–of African American clergywomen. “Inside the Womb: A Woman’s Journey to Herself” a book about woman’s mentoring relationships is schedule for release in March 2006. Debra has also studied at The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta Georgia and South Florida Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is an ordained minister and founder of Liberation Outreach Ministries a non-traditional ministry that takes a holistic—inclusive-- approach to meeting human need. Her vision is to build a community of faith using the biblical principals of unconditional love and service and narrative family therapy’s concepts of privileging others’ voices and opening spaces for new stories. Dr. Nixon’s most recent advance is the creation of the Graduate Certificate of Family Ministry for faith-based counselors. As professor, Debra fosters an atmosphere of learning that is challenging, yet inviting. Her goal, she says, is to use therapeutic skill to facilitate collaborative learning. Her travels include Israel, Jordan, Europe and Africa. She has the support of her husband (of 19 years) Michael and their two children Jon (16) and Micha (15).