I'm a psychiatrist providing mental health services in the Neurobehavioral Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). Matters of the mind have always fascinated me because they are often poorly understood and difficult to understand. I am a doer and thrive when actions produce tangible results.

In college, I jumped at a volunteer opportunity to work one-on-one with autistic children. During my summers as an undergrad, I participated in an intensive behavioral modification program for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and I was encouraged by a PhD psychologist to pursue a medical degree.

My mother was a registered nurse, so I was familiar with the medical field. When I took the medical college admissions test, I knew I wanted to be a psychiatrist. I specifically sought out residency programs that included child and adolescent fellowships. I believe understanding the purpose of a given behavior and exploring the factors that reinforce that behavior is essential. I enjoy being playful and pride myself on being down-to-earth (but knowledgeable) with my patients and their families.

It has been my experience that medication alone almost never works to "fix" a mental health issue. Similarly, mental illness does not occur in a vacuum — biopsychosocial (biological, psychological and societal) circumstances are essential to understand, and family support and involvement are critical for lasting recovery. I value teamwork and collegiality, which makes Cincinnati Children's an ideal workplace. Evidence-based practice and ongoing research are also very important to me.

I love being active in nature when I'm not working. I adore animals and enjoy traveling with my husband. I am also very fond of puzzles and bright colors.