Dr. Rebecca I. Nelson is a licensed clinical psychologist. She holds a doctorate in Clinical Child Psychology from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Nelson has specialized training in the areas of developmental, cognitive, and psychological assessment. Her work focuses on adopted infants and children and the developmental sequelae of institutionalization in early infancy. Her research has been cited in the Chicago Sun Times and the American Medical Association's, American Medical News. She presents at national and local conferences, to local adoption agencies and adoptive parent support groups.

Dr. Nelson is also personally touched by adoption, as she was adopted from Korea at the age of five and has a unique appreciation for the developmental and psychological complexities that can challenge adoptees and their families.