1) What is your background in psychology (e.g., education)?
I became interested in psychology as an undergraduate at UW-Eau Claire. I had the opportunity to be involved in research related to stimulant abuse in high school and college students and animal models of hunger. I went on to complete my MA at Bethel University and then my Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of St. Thomas. I conducted research related to child and adolescent mood and psychotic disorders and maternal depression at the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry during graduate school. I completed my pre-doctoral internship at the University of St. Thomas Counseling and Psychological Services, and went on to complete a 2-year post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota Mood and Anxiety Disorders Clinic specializing in providing evidence-based treatments for child and adolescent mood and anxiety disorders.
2) Describe your current occupation and any involvement in the Minnesota Psychological Association if applicable.
I am currently a licensed psychologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I provide individual psychotherapy and psychological assessments in the Child and Adolescent Anxiety and Mood Disorders Clinic, and I also provide psychotherapy to parents with their own mental health concerns and parents of children experiencing mental illness. In addition, I provide training and supervision for psychology graduate students and psychiatry residents and fellows in the University of Minnesota Medical School. I first learned of the benefits of being involved with MPA while completing my pre-doctoral internship and I am looking forward to becoming involved now as a licensed psychologist.
3) What inspired you to pursue a degree in psychology?
I received excellent mentorship in conducting psychological research as an undergraduate and I became excited about the possibility of continuing to explore questions related to psychological concepts and functioning. I enjoyed studying child development and the impact of mental health concerns on children and families. My interests have developed and I continue to be inspired by the families I work with and my research interests include the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions for adolescent depression, maternal mental health and maternal depression and positive parenting practices. Currently, my research also focuses on the interpersonal processes implicated in the link between parental depression and child and adolescent depression, and associations between improvement in parents’ depression and their children’s psychopathology. I am also interested in the impact of parent-child attachment relationships on child and parent functioning.
4) Why did you join the Minnesota Psychological Association?
I joined MPA to become more involved with the field at the state level and to be connected to the efforts MPA is involved in related to advocacy, excellence in clinical work and ways to advance our field.
5) What do you hope to learn/gain from your new membership?
I hope to become more involved in the local psychological community. I am interested in advocacy and hope to gain experience working with others who are also invested in advocating for effective treatment and intervention and access to services for individuals with mental health concerns.
6) Any outside hobbies/interests you do not mind sharing?
I mostly enjoy spending time with my husband and one-year-old daughter, and family and friends. I have a strong interest in art and have worked with various mediums throughout the years. I enjoy working in floral design and love decorating projects. I also love all that the Twin Cities have to offer.