Laurel Hicks PhD, LCSW, PMH-C

Dr. Laurel has been extensively trained and specializes in perinatal depression, anxiety, trauma (including birth trauma), and stress. She is also trained in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), Ketamine-Assisted EMDR and is a Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator. She believes in the unique and powerful combination of evidence-based science with esoteric healing modalities such as, psychedelic, 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.

Dr. Laurel is also 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.

While in her PhD at Wayne State, Dr. Laurel was chosen to be a Predoctoral Fellow within the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Lifespan Development. During this time she was trained in perinatal and infant mental health, including dyadic, psychodynamic, attachment-focused, cognitive behavioral, relational and trauma-informed therapies. Additionally, she was trained and certified in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy by Zindel Segal, PhD and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for both adults and youth as well as engaged in research in both of these modalities.

During her postdoctoral fellowship at University of Denver’s Department of Psychology she was trained in Interpersonal Therapy for Perinatal Populations by the late Nancy Grote, PhD. She received further training and engaged in research in Mindfulness-Based Interventions, Behavioral Activation and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills from Sona Dimidjian, PhD. She has completed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) basic and advanced training, and is certified in EMDR through EMDRIA. She is has completed a Colorado State Approved Psilocybin Mushroom Facilitator Training as well as a Ketamine-Assisted Therapy with Elemental Psychedelics. She completed additional training in utilizing EMDR within a Ketamine session with the Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute and utilizing EMDR with IFS training with Kendhal Hart, LPC.

Aside from academic and clinical training, Dr. Laurel has taught yoga and meditation since 2007, is a Reiki Master, esoteric healer, nature lover and is initiated as an Alchemist and Priestess in a Mystery School. She believes in the healing power of nature and community. You will find Dr. Laurel both in the academic settings, as well as leading moon circles, seasonal rituals, and supports plant medicine retreats. She spends her free time tending her medicinal herb garden and foraging in the foothills of Colorado. She loves to create herbal healing potions from her harvests and feels a deep connection to the wisdom of Mother Earth.

• PhD Social Work and Infant Mental Health
• MSW in Social Work
• EMDR Certified
• Psilocybin Faciliator Training with Elemental Psychedelics
• Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Training with Elemental Psychedelics
• Ketamine-Assisted EMDR Training
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
• Interpersonal Therapy Training
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training
• PSI Components of Care & Advance Psychotherapy Training

• Adults

• Abuse
• Anxiety
• Behavior Disorders
• Bonding
• Caregiver Stress
• Childhood Trauma
• Co-Occurring Disorders
• Culturally Diverse Populations
• Depression
• Divorce
• Domestic Violence
• EMDR
• Family Systems
• Family/Peer Relationship Issues
• First Responders
• Grief and Loss
• Healthy Coping Strategies
• Identity/Body Image Issues
• Infant/Child Loss
• Infertility
• Interpersonal Relationships
• LGBTQIA Community
• Life Changes
• Life Transitions
• Maternal Mental Health
• Miscarriage
• Mood Disorders
• Parenting Support
• Postpartum Depression
• Pregnancy Issues
• Relationship Issues
• Self-Esteem
• Stress Management
• Trauma
• Trauma/PTSD
• Women’s Issues
• Young Adults

• Psychedelic Assisted Therapy
• Perinatal Mental Health
• Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
• Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator in Colorado
• Spiritual / Transpersonal
• Somatic Therapy
• Birth Trauma

• Aetna
• Cigna
• Kaiser Permanente
• Self-Pay
• United Healthcare/Optum

• Male
• Female
• Cisgender
• Transgender
• Non-Binary
• Gender Fluid
• Buddhist
• Christian
• Hindu
• Jewish
• Muslim
• Secular and Non-Religious
• Sikh
• White
• Black and African American
• Hispanic and Latino
• Asian
• Native American
• Pacific Islander
• Asexual
• Bisexual
• Gay
• Heterosexual
• Intersex
• Lesbian
• Pansexual
• Polysexual
• Queer
• Questioning
• Sexual Fluidity