Laurel Hicks, PhD

Dr. Laurel Hicks is a passionate advocate for wellness and social justice, focusing on improving perinatal wellness through inclusive, trauma-informed interventions. Her research integrates clinical practice and policy to ensure equitable opportunities for marginalized communities, particularly those affected by violence and trauma. Dr. Hicks holds a dual-title Ph.D. in Social Work and Infant Mental Health from Wayne State University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at University of Denver on reducing prenatal depression to improve long-term outcomes for parents and infants.

Dr. Hicks is leading the nationwide dissemination of the Mindful Mood Balance and Mindful Mood Balance for Moms programs, which promote emotional resilience and prevent relapse of depression. She is also a Co-Investigator on the Alma program and the HRSA-funded PROSPER program, which enhances psychiatric and substance use consultation across Colorado. In her free time, Dr. Hicks enjoys hiking, teaching prenatal yoga, and creating herbal remedies, emphasizing a holistic approach to wellness.