I am a board-certified music therapist and licensed professional counselor with over 25 years working in pediatric healthcare. I currently manage an innovative team of clinical professionals in the fields of child life, music therapy, mental health, and arts in medicine. My expertise includes program development aimed to support family-centered care practices and the developmental and psychosocial needs for children and families experiencing chronic illness or medical issues. Research interest include investigating mother and infant relationship development as it unfolds in the neonatal intensive care environment as well as arts-based interventions to improve well-being for families coping with family illness or hospitalization. My philosophy in research, education, and clinical practice includes an interdisciplinary collaborative approach as well as including the key stakeholders (i.e., families) as central to these processes.
Interests
- Children's health
- Mental health
- Pediatric Development
- Research
- Social relationships
- Stress and coping