Heather Laird

Dr. Laird earned a Doctorate of Psychology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, a Master’s in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a Master’s in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management. Dr. Laird has taught at many Universities and currently is core faculty at Antioch University. She is the Director of the Center for Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology, and also the Managing Director of HRL Consulting, LLC. She hosts Muslims and Mental Health on YouTube and MH90 on several podcast platforms. Dr. Laird has taught, mentored, and supported the Minority Fellows of SAMHSA and AAMFT MFP. A former 2015–2016 AAMFT Doctoral Fellow of the Minority Fellow, and a 2016–2017 Albert Schweitzer Fellow, she has also been awarded the Global Psychology Award (two years 2015 & 2016) and the Community Partnerships Award (2016) She received the Community Changemaker award from MPAC in (2017). She has received a commendation from former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti for her work in Mental Health (2018), and also an award from Los Angeles City Council for her contribution to the Muslim community in Muslim Mental Health (2019), listed in a House of Representatives bill in the United States Congress for historical contributions in her work in mental health (2019). She has several published works in local journals such as LA Psychologist and most recently published an invited chapter for the AAMFT Ethics Textbook on Psychotherapy, Spirituality, and Ethics. She presents regularly at national and international conferences. She serves on committees for the Department of Mental Health Los Angeles (2014-2024), and the steering committee for the LA Consortium (2022). While previously serving on various nonprofit boards, she currently serves as a Director on the Board of Directors for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (2023-2026). She has presented on Muslim Mental Health topics in the United States and abroad in Europe and Asia. She has received numerous grants including private foundations, e.g., the Robert Ellis Simon Foundation, and also public grants, i.e., MHSA. Dr. Laird specializes in individuals, couples, and Family, male issues, sexual health, trauma-informed therapies, and those issues adjacent to trauma.