The enduring compassion my parents and grandmother had for helping others influenced my decision to become a psychologist. Through my clinical training on an interdisciplinary team treating children with nutritional disorders, I developed a strong appreciation for the complex relationship between biology and psychosocial factors on the well-being of children with illness and their families. Together, these experiences shaped my commitment to improving the lives of children with chronic diseases and their families.
As a pediatric psychologist, I specialize in pediatric epilepsy and I am the lead psychologist for Cincinnati Children’s Epilepsy Psychosocial Service. I work in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of providers within the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center to promote optimal health in children with epilepsy and their families. We provide children and their families with the best quality of care through evidence-based treatment approaches tailored to each child's unique needs.
In my role on the Epilepsy treatment team, I provide ongoing assessments of adjustment, mood, behavior, learning and quality of life. Treatment commonly focuses on helping families adjust to and cope with chronic illness, manage co-morbid conditions (mood, behaviors, neurocognitive difficulties), and problem-solve barriers to treatment. I also have a specialization in pediatric obesity and provide general mental health services to children struggling with anxiety and depression.
My approach to treatment is to work in collaboration with children and their families to remove obstacles to living their best life. I build off children's and family's strengths and teach them additional tools to help them reach their goals and thrive once treatment is over.
When I’m not helping children and families, I enjoy spending time with my friends, family, and dogs. I also like taking walks, reading, art and listening to live music.
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2012.
PhD: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 2010.
Predoctoral Internship: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2010.
MS: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 2007.
BA: California State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA, 2004.
Certification: Clinical Psychologist.
Pediatric epilepsy; disease management; adjustment and coping with medical illness; behavior modification; anxiety and related disorders; family functioning
Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Behavioral health interventions; pediatric epilepsy
Clinical Psychology
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Screening and treatment of anxiety symptoms within an interdisciplinary comprehensive epilepsy center. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2024; 156:109828.
Key predictors of epilepsy-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in youth with epilepsy. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2023; 149:109508.
Self-Disclosure Patterns Among Children and Youth with Epilepsy: Impact of Perceived-Stigma. Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics. 2023; 14:27-43.
Behavioral health screening in pediatric epilepsy: Which measures commonly used in the United States are 'good enough'?. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2022; 134:108818.
Uncovering Key Elements of an Executive Functioning Intervention in Adolescents: Epilepsy Journey. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. 2022; 10:150-163.
11/3/2022
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