Dr. Laurel M. Hicks, PhD, LCSW, PMH-C
(she/her/hers)
About Me
Dr. Laurel has been extensively trained and specializes in perinatal depression, psychedelic-assisted therapy (psilocybin mushrooms and ketamine), depression, trauma (including birth trauma), and stress. She is also trained in Ketamine-assisted EMDR. She believes in the unique and powerful combination of evidence-based science with esoteric healing modalities such as yoga, meditation, reiki, and energy healing. Her passion in these areas led her to build not only a career in research and academics, but a therapy practice that blends science with mystery for a holistic approach to healing. She is licensed in Colorado, Michigan and Indiana and can offer online therapy in all locations.
Education & Experience
Dr. Laurel earned a dual-title Ph.D. in Social Work (Clinical Concentration) and Infant Mental Health. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Perinatal Mental Health therapist (PMH-C). She is certified in EMDR, Psychedelic-Asssited Therapy and is a Natural Medicine Facilitator in Colorado, Somatic Therapy, DBT skills, Interpersonal Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, CBT, trauma-informed yoga therapy and integrates mind-body approaches into treatment with her clients. She also offers prenatal yoga, prenatal yoga teacher trainings and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction classes.
Professional & Volunteer Affiliations
Dr. Laurel is a Research Scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder at the Renée Crown Wellness Institute, and Adjunct Faculty at the University of Denver in the Social Work Department and the School of Professional Psychology. Her research focuses largely on developing and testing effectiveness of clinical interventions to improve wellness in people who have experienced stress, anxiety, depression and trauma, with a heavy focus on people in the perinatal period. Her work is deeply grounded in community and advocacy and frequently aims to back state and federal policies that support mental wellness.
Specialty Area
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks
- Birth Trauma/Pregnancy Loss
- Chronic Illness/Medical Issues
- Chronic Pain
- Depression
- Family Issues
- Gender Identity
- Grief/Loss/Mourning
- Marriage/Relationship Issues
- Mood Disorders
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
- Race, Culture, Ethnicity Issues
- Sexual Abuse
- Somatic Issues
- Spirituality
- Stress Management
- Survivor's Guilt
- Traumatic Incident
Population Served
- Adolescents (13-17)
- Adults
- BIPOC
- Expats
- First Responders
- Immigrants
- LGBTQ+
- Underserved
- Veterans/Military
Language
- English
Insurance
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Kaiser Permanente
- UnitedHealth
