DR. DENISE LUCIA, PH.D., LP
Dr. Denise Lucia is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Colorado. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, an accredited program by the American Psychological Association (APA). She completed a one year Postdoctoral Clinical Fellowship at a Level I Trauma Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. She has practiced as a licensed psychologist in MN, FL, and CO.
Dr. Lucia is credentialed with the National Register of Health Service Psychologists; this is a national distinction that credentials psychologists who meet stringent requirements for education, clinical experience, and who demonstrate a high level of ethical conduct and integrity in the profession.
ABOUT DR. LUCIA
Dr. Lucia is the Director and Owner of Behavioral Health and Trauma Recovery Services, P.C., a mental health therapy practice in Castle Rock, CO.
Dr. Lucia’s past clinical work has consisted of being a member on the medical board and holding clinical privileges at each respective medical facility/hospital where she has served patients. Her clinical experience has exclusively focused on serving patients within a medical model, whereby she worked closely with psychiatrists, physicians, and medical specialists to treat patient’s overall physical and mental health.
FOCUSED SPECIALTIES
Dr. Lucia maintains a specialization in the treatment of First Responder Stress Reactions and Military Related Stress Reactions, to include assessment and treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She has a strong clinical background in serving both civilians, as well as first responders and active/prior members of the U.S. Armed Forces, with behavior modification and skills training to address general anxiety, worry, daily stress response, major life-cycle changes/transitions, grief/loss, sleep difficulties, and more.
Dr. Lucia also maintains a specialization in Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) which affords the ability to serve as a Behavioral Health Consultant to primary care physicians, as well as assist those who need help with behavior modification and skills training in order to address stress, sleep difficulties, weight management, diabetes management, tobacco cessation, goal setting, and general anxiety/depression.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DoD)
Dr. Lucia has historically held medical privileges for the Department of Defense (DoD) at the 21st Space Wing Medical Squadron, Family Health Clinic, at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO. She received training via the Air Force Medical Operations Agency (AFMOA), at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in MD. Dr. Lucia is honored to have served our nations active duty service members, veterans, retirees, and their families.
LEVEL I TRAUMA HOSPITAL
Dr. Lucia has historically held medical privileges for Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), Level I Trauma Center, safety net hospital, in Minneapolis, MN. She provided individual therapy services to trauma survivors on outpatient and inpatient basis, and she served patients who were medically hospitalized on the burn unit, orthopedic unit, and surgical ICU unit. Injuries included status/post stab and gunshot wounds, amputations, motor vehicle accidents, physical and/or sexual assaults, traumatic burns, and more.
Dr. Lucia also provided education to the public on PTSD via a live television interview with KSTP, ABC network, after Fort Hood, TX shootings in 2014. She later provided Psychological First Aid assistance to health care workers post active shooter event at HCMC.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER (VAMC)
Dr. Lucia has historically held medical privileges for the U.S. Department of VAMC in West Palm Beach, FL. She specialized as a trauma psychologist in the PTSD Outpatient Clinic. Dr. Lucia served active duty members post deployment (OIF and OEF), and she also served retirees and veterans with combat trauma, military sexual trauma (MST), and non-combat military related trauma.
STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL / FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
Dr. Lucia has historically served as a forensic psychologist at the State Psychiatric Hospital, Colorado Mental Health Institute Pueblo (CMHIP) in Pueblo, CO. During this time she provided services to adult males on the high security forensic inpatient admissions unit (HSFI). These individuals often had significant trauma backgrounds, in addition to being currently engaged in the criminal justice system for alleged and/or confirmed notably violent offense charges (Level 1 Felony Classification). She completed psychological evaluations as well as competency restoration, prior to the individuals re-trial for alleged crime and/or transfer to alternate level of care.
Dr. Lucia has also historically served as a forensic psychologist for AllHealth Network, as their Certification Manager for Inpatient Services for the Acute Treatment Unit. She was responsible for engagement with court/judicial system as needed, and completion of legal court documents, to include Notice of Certification for Short-Term and/or Long-Term Certification (court-mandated treatment), and application for Legal Counsel for respondent.
OTHER AREAS OF CLINICAL FOCUS
Dr. Lucia’s training and experience allows her to offer the specialty service Psychological Testing. She is also skilled in providing Clinical Supervision. She was a member of the APA Pre-Doctoral Psychology Internship Training Program at both HCMC and VAMC, serving as a clinical supervisor to psychology interns and postdoctoral fellows for the areas of trauma and implementation of CPT for PTSD and psychological assessment. If you are in need of testing services, and/or clinical supervision, please contact Dr. Lucia for more details.