What was my path to becoming a nurse practitioner?
I always knew I would work in a field that involved caring and healing. But I'm also very curious and ask a lot of questions. My parents thought I was going to be a reporter! The field of mental health lets me ask a lot of questions to get to the “why” of things and satisfy my natural tendency to care and heal.
I started my career in nursing in a neurological ICU, then moved to a pediatric ICU. The brain and children have long been areas of special interest to me. I attended the University of Pennsylvania's Master's in Nursing program, and my first job after that was at the world-renowned Philadelphia Child Guidance Center. Families actually moved into apartments there with one-way mirrors in the kitchen and living area, so a team of therapists, physicians and nurses could observe how families interacted and help children who were having behavioral challenges.
My first certification in advanced practice nursing was as a child and adolescent clinical nurse specialist, working with children and their families through therapy and prescribing medication to children and teens. My next was as a psychiatric nurse practitioner for families, which allowed me to treat children, teens and adults through therapy and medication management. I maintain specialty certifications in both child and adult psychiatric nursing.
My specialized training with children actually helps me in my work with adults, as many adult issues and behavioral patterns start in childhood and adolescence. And one of my specialties is treating ADHD, which starts in childhood. That has given me vast experience recognizing and treating it, which has greatly improved the quality of life for so many adults.
What should you know about working with me?
I treat people the way I would want my family or myself treated. I hate being rushed through an appointment and never want anyone to feel that way with me. When appropriate, I like to infuse some humor into situations because I think laughter can be healing, and I believe in partnering with people: your ideas and thoughts matter.
When I work with children and teens, I involve the parents as much as possible. Children and teens have a right to privacy, but keeping parents in the dark under the guise of confidentiality does not make for the best care, especially when prescribing medication.
