SBGI May Edition Newsletter
Interview with SBGI Graduate Becky Brittain Hicks, PhD

AR: Dr. Hicks, why did you choose to study at SBGI?

BH: I wanted to study with the founders of the field of prenatal and perinatal psychology and knew that they would be supportive of the program and willing to share their vast clinical knowledge with the students. Many of them were teaching abroad and I thought that this was the opportunity of a lifetime and it was! I entered the first graduating class to be a pioneer to learn about and to extend knowledge about this field of study for the benefit of humanity. My teachers were the best I have ever had anywhere.

AR: What was the most important thing you learning during the dissertation process at SBGI?  What did you benefit most from throughout the process?

BH: I spent three years in the program writing papers about the importance of the HPA axis of the developing prenate as I was intensely interested in the topic of the developing brain and nervous system. I was passionate about the topic and prepared to have this be my ultimate dissertation topic. In the third year Alan Schore gave the commencement address and said that the hot topic in the sciences was about understanding the beginnings of human systems which set the stage for progressive development. I got goosebumps and knew there and then that my topic would explore knowledge about the creational blueprints for human development. I surrendered my ego entirely and delved into the mysteries of the processes of alchemical dance. It was a holy moment. Thus surprise and inspiration got the better of my well thought out intellectual plans. I went with the flow. The benefit of doing this became the sheer joy of being lead by a process rather than forcing something to happen. There was magic created and my intellectual curiosity knew no bounds. I became totally open to the work and where it wanted to go. My heart opened as my brain stretched. Writing the dissertation was a mystical experience and joy for me.  This unexpected development allowed me to also incorporate my knowledge as a dance therapist which had been my profession for thirty years. I had the opportunity to put it all together at last!

AR: What are you doing now?

BH: I am the Director of the Conscious Parenting Center In St. Louis, MO. I see clients, lead mom & baby classes and give talks around the area about our field. I am hoping to work at Children’s Hospital in the fall with parents who have at-risk pregnancies and premature babies.

AR:  How does your current work benefit from your specialty in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology? 

BH:  I am directly doing the work that I was trained to do.

AR:  What advice do you have for other students and graduates of SBGI?

BH: Get your licensure. When you leave the state of progressive California, do not expect [most anyone] to know a thing about our field.  You are not speaking to the choir anymore.  This shift can be a bit shocking. The worst example of this was at a recent talk where I was discussing the dynamics of right brain entrainment between the mother and baby and the woman in the audience [questioned] if I was  a scientologist. You have to carefully select your language even if it is pure neuroscience! 

Dr. Hicks recently presented at the International Parents as Teachers Conference in St. Louis, Missouri where her presentation titled The Role of Research on Dance and Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology For Early Childhood Programs focused on the ‘Dance of Mother and Baby.’
For a FREE PDF of her presentation that introduces a process for ‘Conceiving Programs for Optimal Developmental Success’ and includes information on ‘How to Apply PPN and Dance Knowledge to Your Work please email info@sbgi.edu.
To learn more about Dr. Hicks visit her website at www.consciousparentingcenter.com and www.motheringcoach.com