Dr. Melissa Hiller Lauby, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Melissa Hiller Lauby is a board-certified Clinical and Operational Psychologist with over 20 years of service as a U.S. Navy Captain. Throughout her career, she served in operational, clinical, and executive leadership roles, applying psychological science to enhance performance, resilience, and mission effectiveness in high-risk environments.

During her naval service, Dr. Lauby specialized in the psychological assessment and selection of personnel for high-risk training and operational assignments. She designed and implemented assessment and selection programs for both officer and enlisted Navy SEAL candidates, advancing long-term performance monitoring and force readiness. Her operational work also included leading disaster mental health policy and response efforts, as well as supporting the reintegration of detained U.S. personnel and their families.

In parallel, Dr. Lauby held key leadership roles within Navy Medicine, including Navy Director of Psychological Health and Clinical Psychology Specialty Leader, where she shaped enterprise-wide policy, workforce development, and mental health strategy across a globally dispersed force.

Since retiring from active duty, Dr. Lauby founded Courageous Horizons Psychological Solutions, LLC, where she provides operationally focused assessment and selection, leadership consultation, and human performance services to government clients. She currently serves as President-Elect for the Society of Military Psychology (Division 19) of the American Psychological Association, supporting military and federal psychologists across the country.

Dr. Lauby earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of South Dakota, specializing in Clinical and Clinical Disaster Psychology. She then went on to complete training programs in public policy as well a postdoctoral fellowship in PTSD and trauma at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs National Center for PTSD. She is licensed in Virginia and Hawaii, a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology, and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association.