Dr. Kyla Liggett-Creel, PhD, MSW, is an assistant clinical professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She has served as a senior clinical social worker at the Center for Infant Studies for three years.

She previously was a supervising clinical social worker at Kennedy Krieger Institute for nine years (1999-2008) and coordinated a clinic for children from newborn to age 5 who had experienced trauma. Her BS degree is from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her MSW degree is from Smith College School of Social Work. She earned her PhD from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Liggett-Creel has presented for child welfare agencies across the state of Maryland on issues related to trauma, attachment, and development. She also has offered presentations about behavioral management for children in education settings. Liggett-Creel has published an article on evidence-based practice with parents of children birth to 7 years old who have experienced trauma. She has consulted with the Institute of Medicine and National Academy of Sciences and provided a paper on parenting and early childhood mental health. Liggett-Creel also is the director of research and evaluation for the Promise Heights program, an initiative designed to improve the lives of children and families in the Upton/Druid Heights community.