Dr. Leigh Hicks is a dedicated Clinical Social Worker and Therapist with a PhD and LCSWA credential. She specializes in working with adolescents aged 13-18 and young adults as they navigate the challenges of life transitions. Dr. Hicks is passionate about empowering her clients, fostering insights, healing relationships, and equipping them with practical tools for their journeys into adulthood. Her expertise extends to family therapy, particularly focusing on family systems to promote healing among families. In addition to working with young clients, Dr. Hicks has a strong commitment to supporting victims of sexual exploitation, including those affected by human trafficking and sexual abuse. She integrates an understanding of the dynamics of race and ethnicity into her practice, advocating for marginalized populations while addressing the impact of these factors on treatment and resilience. A skilled practitioner in various therapeutic approaches, Dr. Hicks utilizes DBT, CBT, Systems Theory, and Family Systems in her sessions. She has extensive experience treating a full range of issues, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and the effects of bullying. Her practice encompasses individuals, groups, families, and couples, employing evidence-based, trauma-focused methods both virtually and in person. Dr. Hicks’s life experiences as a single mother and a researcher who earned her PhD shape her empathetic approach to therapy. Having worked in law enforcement and enjoying program development, she also serves as an educator for MSW students at Walden. For those seeking a compassionate therapist who comprehensively understands their struggles, Dr. Hicks offers the tools, support, and skills necessary to help manage and improve their lives.