Laurel Hughes, Psy. D., is a psychologist with special interest in healing trauma. In addition to clinical practice and teaching she has participated in over 50 disaster operations with the American Red Cross, ranging from major catastrophes such as the Events of September 11th to minor local flooding.
Her earliest publishing history included books on parenting, undergraduate psychology textbooks, and professional journal articles. She also engaged in substantial disaster mental health program development and technical writing. Among such efforts are the Behavioral Health Emergency Response Plan and Field Guide for the Oregon Department of Human Services, and numerous materials for the American Red Cross—including joint efforts with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Over the past decade she has been exploring other ways of putting her expertise to use. Her mystery novels display diverse paths of healing from trauma through the adventures of her characters. Her latest nonfiction works aim to heal what she calls the “cogjam effect”: how trauma and high stress can cause our biochemistry to interfere with or even block intellect, resulting in our currently divisive and polarized society.
laurelhughesbooks.com 