Robert J. Wicks, was born on August 2, 1946. After graduating from Fairfield University in 1968 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in psychology and philosophy, he went on to receive his Master’s of Arts degree in 1973 from St. John's University . In 1977, he received his doctorate in psychology from Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital.

Since then, he has taught in universities and professional schools of psychology, medicine, nursing, theology, and social work. In 2003 he was the Commencement Speaker for Wright State School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, and in 2005 he was both Visiting Scholar and the Commencement Speaker at Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago.

In 1994, he was responsible for the psychological debriefing of relief workers evacuated from Rwanda during their bloody civil war. In 1993, and again in 2001, he worked in Cambodia. During these visits, his work was with professionals from the English-speaking community who were present to help the Khmer people rebuild their nation following years of terror and torture.

In 2006, Wicks delivered presentations on self-care at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland and Walter Reed Army Hospital to those health care professionals responsible for Iraqi and Afghani war veterans evacuated to the U.S. with multiple amputations and severe head injuries.

Also in 2006, Wicks received the first annual Alumni Award for Excellence in Professional Psychology from Widener University and is also the recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the American Counseling Association's Division on Ethics and Values.

In the past several years he has spoken on Capitol Hill to Members of Congress and their chiefs of staff, at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and at Harvard’s Children’s Hospital on his major area of expertise: the prevention of secondary stress (the pressures encountered in reaching out to others). He has also addressed 10,000 educators in the Air Canada Arena in Toronto, spoken at the FBI Academy, led a weeklong course in Paris, and addressed caregivers in Beijing, Hanoi, and Northern Ireland. In his clinical practice, Wicks focuses on working with psychotherapists, physicians, nurses, educators, relief workers, lawyers, corporate executives and persons in full-time ministry.

Wicks has published over 40 books for both professionals and the general public. One of his latest works is entitled Riding the Dragon. His most recent books for professionals, Overcoming Secondary Stress in Medical and Nursing Practice and The Resilient Clinician have both been published by Oxford University Press. In October 2009 Oxford will also release his new book for the general public, Bounce: Living the Resilient Life. In September 2009, Sorin Books will release his other new book, Prayerfulness: Awakening to the Fullness of Life.

Currently, Wicks is a professor at Loyola University Maryland and lives in Ellicott City, Maryland with his wife of over 40 years, Michaele Barry Wicks who is both a nurse and a lecturer on Teresa of Avila and biblical/women’s spirituality. They have a daughter, Michaele Kulick who is a social worker for the Veteran’s Administration; she works with severely injured returning Iraqi and Afghani military personnel.

Wicks, R. Bounce: Living the Resilient Life. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.

Wicks, R. Prayerfulness: Awakening to the Fullness of Life. Notre Dame: Sorin Books, 2009.

Wicks, R. The Resilient Clinician. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.

Wicks, R. Overcoming Secondary Stress in Medical and Nursing Practice: A Guide to Professional Resilience and Personal Well-Being. N.Y: Oxford University Press, 2006.

Wicks, R. Crossing the Desert. Notre Dame, IN: Sorin Books, 2006.

Wicks, R. Riding the Dragon. Notre Dame, IN: Sorin Books, 2003

Wicks, R., D. Parsons, and D. Capps, (Eds.). Clinical Handbook of Pastoral Counseling, Vol. 3. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2003

Wicks, R. Everyday Simplicity. Notre Dame, IN: Sorin Books, 2000.

Wicks, R., D. Parsons, and D. Capps, (Eds.). Clinical Handbook of Pastoral Counseling, Volume I — Expanded Edition. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1993.

Wicks, R., and D. Parsons (Eds.). Clinical Handbook of Pastoral Counseling, Volume II...Selected Topics. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1993.

Parsons, R., and Wicks, R. Counseling Strategies and Intervention Techniques for the Human Services. (Fourth Edition). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 1993.

2006 First Annual Graduate Award for Excellence in Professional Psychology

Widener University

2002 Doctor of Pastoral Counseling (Honoris Causa) Caldwell College

1997 The Outstanding Colleague Award National Association of Catholic Chaplains

1996 Papal Medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for service to the church.

1993 The Humanitarian Award Association for Spiritual, Ethical, Religious and Value Issues in Counseling American Counseling Association

1981 Cited by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the "81 People to Watch in 1981" for his efforts to integrate religion and psychology.

1977 Award for clinical and academic excellence in the Clinical Psychology Program, Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1975 Successfully nominated by the Clinical Psychology Department and Graduate School of Hahnemann Medical College for 1976 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

1973 Citation by the Fairfield University Alumni Association for "exceptional accomplishments, both professionally and personally . . . as a teacher and author.

Several books have also been selected by major academic/professional book clubs (Behavioral Science Book Club; Mental Health Practitioners Book Club; Theological Book Service).