Career:

• As a RN I worked in pediatrics and the NICU. As an ARNP I worked for Child Health Specialty Clinics (CHSC), helping children with special needs and their families. I was introduced to Children’s' Mental Health through my work at CHSC and quickly found my calling.

• Worked at Child Health Specialty Clinics (CHSC), then Siouxland Mental Health Center (SMHC) before and after my time at Rosecrance Jackson Centers (RJC).

• CHSC gave me the opportunity to help children with special needs including mental health and developmental disabilities: ADHD, ODD, MDD, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and other learning disabilities. I gained a good understanding of special education processes including IEPs and 504 plans after working closely with school districts and AEA teams through CHSC.

• I then transitioned to SMHC, continuing to serve children and adolescents struggling with mental health. I prescribe medication(s) to treat conditions that l have diagnosed. One of my strengths is that I always spend time with the parents, helping them better understand behavioral management, coping skills and other communication strategies.

• I left SMHC specifically to join Dr. Richard Brown at RJC, formerly Jackson Recovery Centers, with the opening of the Adolescent Stabilization and Assessment Unit (ASAU) opened. This experience gave me a critical understanding of trauma and mental health crisis that adolescents face.

• RJC also introduced me to substance abuse and addiction medicine as well as medication assisted treatment (MAT). I provided inpatient and outpatient substance abuse and mental health services to mainly adolescents and women living with their children. This was a major change for me, as I traditionally have only worked with adolescents. I also helped cover the adult men and women units as needed. My experience working at RJC is invaluable as I have a strong passion for people and families fighting the disease of addiction, often with mental health challenges and trauma.

• With my return to SMHC I have focused on primarily working with children and adolescents and their families. I offer parent/family support through education and counseling. I continue to help adult patients when my expertise matches their needs.

• Areas of expertise: ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, autism spectrum, developmental disorders, ODD, behavioral disorders, trauma/PTSD, substance abuse, MAT.