I’m a pediatric psychologist who specializes in caring for children and adolescents with epilepsy and their families. I serve as the clinical psychologist for the Division of Neurology’s New Onset Seizure Clinic. I also lead several psychologists within the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Cincinnati Children’s, where we work with our medical, pharmacy, nursing and social work colleagues to provide comprehensive epilepsy care. Our goal is for the child or adolescent to be seizure free, with no side effects from seizure mediations, and that they have the best possible quality of life.
I was drawn to my career by my volunteer work as a teenager, where I saw the resiliency of children and their families. I have studied child, caregiver, and family functioning and their impact on pediatric chronic disease management across a variety of pediatric chronic conditions. These include obesity, cancer, organ transplants, inflammatory bowel disease and type 1 diabetes.
My approach to patient care is to treat the whole child or adolescent, along with their family, to optimize their functioning and help them live their best lives. Our team is here to serve all families and to tailor their care to meet their individual needs.
I was honored to receive the 2016 Society of Pediatric Psychology Carolyn Schroeder Clinical Practice Award. I also received the 2016 O’Grady Residency Outstanding Teaching Award.
In addition to helping patients, I’m involved in research. My colleagues and I are investigating the behavioral health conditions linked to epilepsy. We strive to minimize their occurrence and impact on quality of life.
When I’m not at work, I enjoy all sports with my kids. I also like to walk and run with my dog, Goldie.
PhD: Kent State University, 2009.
Residency: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 2008-2009.
Fellowship: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 2009-2011.
Childhood depression and anxiety; epilepsy management; behavior modification; cognitive-behavioral therapy; family functioning; parenting stress and distress; self-management; adherence
Behavioral Medicine, Epilepsy
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Key predictors of epilepsy-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in youth with epilepsy. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2023; 149:109508.
A randomized clinical trial to support adherence regimens in children with epilepsy: Examining potential mechanisms of change. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2023; 147:109393.
Demystifying a family-based epilepsy adherence problem-solving intervention: Exploring adherence barriers and solutions. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. 2023; 11:66-73.
Behavioral health screening in pediatric epilepsy: Which measures commonly used in the United States are 'good enough'?. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2022; 134:108818.
Key predictors of the need for a family-focused pediatric epilepsy adherence intervention. Epilepsia. 2022; 63:2120-2129.
Racial Disparities in Medication Adherence Barriers: Pediatric Epilepsy as an Exemplar. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 2022; 47:620-630.
Learning experience design of an mHealth intervention for parents of children with epilepsy. International Journal of Medical Informatics. 2022; 160:104671.
Supporting treatment adherence regimens in children with epilepsy: A randomized clinical trial. Epilepsia. 2021; 62:1643-1655.
Highlights From AES2020, a Virtual American Epilepsy Society Experience. Epilepsy Currents. 2021; 21:15357597211018219.
The psychosocial impact of COVID-19 within the first six months of the pandemic on youth with epilepsy and their caregivers. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2021; 117:107855.
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