I’m a nurse practitioner in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I work with children of all ages who have a variety of different diagnoses. However, most of my patients are currently preschool and young school-age children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety.
I was drawn to my career when I worked in a state mental hospital for children during my undergraduate program. This experience motivated me to seek a career helping children. I found I enjoyed the work — making connections with the children and watching them improve.
Regarding my practice, I strive to be a team with parents or other caregivers because I believe it is important for families to be active participants in care. I utilize as little medication as possible to address the patient’s concerns and encourage families to seek therapy, when appropriate.
When not working, I enjoy spending my free time outdoors, especially training with my dog who is certified as a Canine Good Citizen through the American Kennel Club. I also like refinishing furniture and crafting.