Dr. Sarah grew up in rural Indiana prior to moving to the Indianapolis area where she currently resides. She attended Indiana State University, as well as Louisiana State University’s School of Medicine where she earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She began graduate school in 2010, with intent to work with children and families in mental health, including youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities such as autism. At Indiana State University, she worked extensively with youth suspected of having Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and related disorders. Working in New Orleans for 5 years, prior to joining our team, she gained specialized education and training in Infant Mental Health, parent-child attachment, and those who have experienced child abuse/neglect or trauma. Young children, and persons with disabilities, are particularly vulnerable to potential maltreatment, exploitation, or traumatic stressors, and she enjoys assisting children and families to enhance their strengths, grow closer in relationships, and learn new skills. Though she is not specifically trained in ABA, her doctoral training in clinical psychology relies on principles of human behavior and cognition. She frequently uses behavioral interventions when providing mental health treatment to children and teaching effective parent behavioral skills to caregivers. She is an early career psychologist and loves the field of pediatric health care. After transitioning back to Indiana, her career goals are to contribute to, and expand mental health services for, children and their caregivers in the Hoosier state. She plans to expand on her passion for strengthening parent-child attachment, preventing child maltreatment, and helping caregivers understand and respond to child behaviors. Using the most current research and best practices, she strives to recognize warning signs and prevent suicide. Broadly speaking, she hopes to have a small impact to lessen human suffering and conversely promote healing and healthy relationships. Besides working directly with families, she enjoys training other professionals and teaching the community about trauma-informed health care and schools. Lastly, in her career she would like to contribute to psychology students’ education and training to further social and behavioral sciences. She loves nature and animals. Her family traditions include hiking in her backyard as well as Indiana’s beautiful state parks. Being back in Indiana, she spends much time with family, especially her niece (age 2) and nephew (age 4). She enjoys creative practices and the satisfaction of completing artistic projects. She strives to practice what she teaches by regularly engaging in self-care. She is an enthusiastic singer in the privacy of her kitchen and shower, and believes that coffee is one of her most important food groups. Dr. Sarah leads our Mental Health Services department in our clinics and also helps to support out mental health services in our school based programs.
