Therapist Highlight: Dr. Leigh Hicks

We are so happy and thankful to have Dr. Leigh as one of our therapists here at MACS. She is such a quiet and humble soul, but is such a warrior and leader in the community. We have chosen her as our first Therapist Highlight because she is so fantastic but won't tell you all these strengths- so we will!

If you are a teenager or referring a teenage to our practice to work on behavioral issues, depression, anxiety, self esteem, making good choices, improving their choices and executive functioning- Dr. Hicks is a wonderful and talented therapist to connect with your teen and offer the therapeutic skill necessary to put change into action. You can get to know her more by reading about all her work within the community to heal and empower teens.

Dr. Leigh as a Guest on Go Be Great Podcast with Jackie Capers-Brown. Episode 98: On Women of Color with A Badge https://www.buzzsprout.com/798893/9097338

Dr. Leigh is also the founder of Footsteps 2 Success which was born in 2010 in the response to the community crisis of young girls with low self esteem and mental health issues. She noticed more young girls making choices to become involved in drugs and alcohol, sex, dating violence & delinquent behavior and wanted to facilitate healing and support of these young ladies. While the program originated to support and mentor girls and prepare them for a scholarship based pageant, Dr. Hicks has also begun to use this group format by incorporating a clinical skill focus group to address treatment of mental health issues. https://www.facebook.com/groups/178280442243793

You can also watch Dr. Leigh's interview form HOT 103.9 about Footsteps to Success about this restorative program for girls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnM11AslUJo

Dr. Leigh is using evidence based treatment to promote Resiliency in Girls and Young Women. The Girls Circle®model is a strengths-based support group for adolescent girls and those who identify with female adolescent identity, designed in the evidence-based principles of motivational interviewing and strengths based approaches, is trauma responsive, culturally responsive, gender transformative, and utilizes restorative practices.

GIRLS CIRCLE® IS THE FIRST PROGRAM IN THE NATION PROVEN TO REDUCE DELINQUENCY FOR GIRLS.

Footsteps 2 Success, Inc. received a grant from the Lipscomb Family Foundation to do Girls Circle. We are now taking referrals.

In addition to her work at McCloud Acosta Clinical Services, PLLC and running her Footsteps to Success, Inc Organization, Fund Raising, running Girls Circle Groups and her personal life- Dr. Hicks is also on Faculty at Walden University teaching MSW students at the

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Barbara Solomon School of Social Work Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree Program

Dr. Hicks graduated from Walden University with a PhD in Human Services, concentration on Clinical Social Work. She has over 15 years of professional experience. She specializes in restorative justice, juveniles, mental health, human sex trafficking, domestic violence, victims advocacy, social work, law and criminal justice. Dr. Hicks' role at Walden University is a Contributing Faculty Member in the school of counseling and social work. Her dissertation was published through ProQuest in May of 2017.