Kent Hinkson Jr., PhD
Executive Director
Dr. Kent Hinkson is a clinical psychologist whose work focuses on trauma, suicide, PTSD, and moral injury, with particular emphasis on Veterans and other trauma-exposed populations. A retired Non-Commissioned Officer of the United States Marine Corps, he brings both clinical and military experience to his research, teaching, and training. Dr. Hinkson completed his predoctoral internship with the Charleston Consortium, jointly affiliated with the Medical University of South Carolina and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, South Carolina, followed by a three-year advanced postdoctoral research and clinical fellowship with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Dr. Hinkson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology & Counseling at Utah Valley University, where he teaches courses in abnormal psychology, statistics, research methods, counseling and therapy, forensic psychology, and suicide and trauma. He is also the founding Executive Director of the Suicide & Trauma Research Collaborative (STRC), an interdisciplinary research collaborative focused on advancing trauma and suicide research while providing intensive research training and mentorship to undergraduate and graduate students.
In addition to his work at Utah Valley University, Dr. Hinkson serves as a consultant with the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and South Central MIRECC within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. His work with the VA has included roles as an investigator, clinician, statistician, and implementation scientist, contributing to research and clinical initiatives aimed at improving the understanding, assessment, prevention, and treatment of PTSD, suicide, and moral injury.
Dr. Hinkson has extensive experience training mental health professionals in evidence-based approaches to trauma and suicide risk and is passionate about preparing current and future clinicians to work effectively with individuals experiencing traumatic stress and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. His clinical, research, and training experience spans work with Veterans, military personnel, sexual assault survivors, and other trauma-exposed populations, with an emphasis on translating psychological science into effective clinical practice.
