(pronounced Mý-lee)
Burbank, CA
Maile Baird-Hicks MA, LMFT
Are you tired of the way
things are?
Have overwhelm, stress or anxiety become too much?
Do you want more clarity, hope and joy?
I am here to support you on your path.
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Burbank, CA. I provide In Person and Telehealth therapy to adults and couples throughout California.
Specializing in therapy for Anxiety Management, Parenting Support, Navigating Transitions and "Stuckness"
Anxiety
Living with anxiety can feel like your brain is stuck in “high alert” mode, even when you’re just trying to pick out cereal at the store. Suddenly, your heart’s racing, your palms are sweaty, and you’re convinced everyone can hear your thoughts. If you’re searching for help with anxiety, you’re not alone. Anxiety can be extremely unpleasant and exhausting—it can make the simplest moments feel like you’re in a rush to solve complex problems.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Really. Everyone—even you—has the ability to shift these patterns. With the support of the right therapist, you can feel safe enough to actually exhale, be yourself, and figure out what’s making your nervous system sound the alarm. Together, we’ll get curious (not judgmental!) about what sets off your anxiety, what fuels it—and, most importantly, what helps you find your calm. I will help you build a toolkit of strategies so you can stop feeling hijacked by anxious feelings and start living life on your own terms.
Life Transitions
Life loves to throw us curveballs. And sometimes these curveballs leave us feeling raw, overwhelmed and unsteady. Whether you're coping with the loss of a loved one, navigating career change, starting a new job, relocating or simply adjusting to the changing world around you, the impact can feel overwhelming and confusing.
You do not have to navigate these transitions alone. As a therapist specializing in life transitions counseling, I’m here to help you bolster self compassion, make sense of your reactions, find your footing, and develop real-life strategies for coping. Together, we’ll work on clarifying your goals, managing stress and anxiety and building the resilience you need to adapt to change. Therapy for life transitions can help you find steadiness in the midst of uncertainty— so you can reclaim a sense of calm, confidence and direction to begin moving forward with purpose.
Parenting
There is a reason why parenting is often referred to as “the best, worst job you’ll ever have.” It is a high wire act chock full of deep emotion (high and low) and it can be so challenging to keep up with any shred of grace, peace or humor.
The expectations for the job as a parent are higher than ever and the tsunami of conflicting information out there is never ending. It is common to feel confused and overwhelmed—as if everyone else knows something you don’t. Being a parent feels hard because it is hard. Especially in our current culture.
All parents can use some extra support, some new tools and a deeper understanding of ourselves and our children. As a Burbank therapist and fellow parent, I am here to help you find your footing as a parent/nurturer/guardian, even when the path feels scary and unstable. Whether you are dealing with overwhelming family stress, child behavior concerns, boundary setting or finding your authentic parenting style, I'm here to help. It is entirely possible to build the kind of authentic connection with your child—and your WHOLE family—that you truly desire. Change is often closer than you think and I can help you achieve it. Together, we can develop the next steps toward peace, resilience, and happier family relationships.
"Stuckness"
Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in quicksand—desperately trying to figure out how to get unstuck?
Maybe you keep repeating the same old, ineffective patterns in relationships or facing conflicts that feel like déjà vu. Perhaps you struggle with a harsh inner critic whose constant judgment prevents you from feeling good enough. Or maybe you’re simply exhausted, weighed down by hopelessness and worried that you just don’t know how to move forward.
Here’s the good news: you are not broken, and you are definitely not alone. As a therapist, I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re caught in these cycles. What many people don’t realize is that a big part of what keeps us stuck lies in our autonomic nervous system—the behind-the-scenes operator that shapes how we feel, react, and even connect with others. When we learn to notice and understand these patterns in our body and brain, something powerful happens: the inner critic quiets down, self-compassion grows louder, and clarity begins to take root.
Therapy offers a safe space to explore these patterns, make sense of them, and begin creating new ways forward. Together, we can work on calming your nervous system, breaking free from cycles that no longer serve you, and rediscovering the confidence and clarity you’ve been searching for.
You don’t have to stay stuck. You can move forward—and I’d be honored to walk alongside you as you do.
About Me
I didn’t always know I’d end up as a therapist. I majored in Communication Studies at UCLA and began my career in the Entertainment Industry. I eventually realized the best parts of my day were not about the work—they were about connecting with people, listening, and offering support.
So I went back to school to get my Master’s degree in Psychology. Fast forward nearly twenty years, and I’ve had the privilege of working with adults, couples, and parents as they navigate anxiety, heal from old wounds, untangle relationship knots, and rediscover joy, clarity, and a little more peace.
My approach is client centered, Autonomic Nervous System focused, and designed just for you. I incorporate a variety of modalities like Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Postmodern Therapy, and I’m a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level 2 (CCTP-II). I help you get to know your nervous system, notice (helpful and unhelpful) patterns, and heal the parts of you that have been carrying too much for too long.
We’ll work together—at your pace—toward relief, resilience, and building a life that actually feels good to live. If you’re ready to start your next chapter, I’m here.
What is Polyvagal Therapy?
Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and expanded in therapeutic practice by Deb Dana, offers a compassionate lens for understanding how our nervous system shapes the way we feel, connect, and respond to the world. At its heart, the theory explains that our bodies are wired with different states of safety (Ventral), mobilization (Sympathetic), and shutdown (Dorsal), all governed by the vagus nerve. Rather than seeing these shifts as “good” or “bad,” it helps us view them as our nervous system’s best attempt to keep us safe.
In therapy, this perspective can be incredibly empowering—by learning to notice and recognize these states within ourselves and gently guide our system, when appropriate, back toward a sense of safety and connection. In this process, clients discover new ways to regulate emotions, manage stress, and feel more present in daily life. Polyvagal-informed therapy provides both understanding and practical tools for building resilience, deepening relationships, and creating space for healing.