Major Projects
Forging Community-University Partnerships to Enable Transdisciplinary Research
One of the grand challenges in healthcare and social services is identifying how to translate innovations developed at universities into improvements in clinical care. The overarching goal of my research is to create partnerships that combine the strengths of academic researchers (extensive knowledge of specific topics and research methods) with the strengths of community organizations (thorough understanding of key clinical challenges, and the ability to engage clients in real-world settings). My mission is to improve care in real-world settings.
Transdiagnostic Treatments For Youth Mental Health
Youth mental illness can be challenging to treat because symptoms are constantly in flux. Transdiagnostic treatments are flexible enough to work across diagnoses and allow clinicians to address key symptoms and daily challenges without requiring specialist training. I work with youth mental health providers to implement and adapt transdiagnostic treatments such as the Unified Protocol and Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics.
Therapeutic Recreation
The mind and body are fundamentally linked: physical activity improves brain health and emotion regulation. Many youth who have experienced trauma are not able to engage in traditional psychotherapy, but movement-based therapies can help them learn about self-regulation, and how to develop healthy relationships with others. I am partnering with youth and families to identify how we can use physical activity therapeutically.
Online Child Protection
So much of our life happens online, but children are not mature enough to understand online threats to their safety. I work with child care professionals to improve their ability to recognize and respond to concerns about online exploitation of children.
Reflective Practice
Reflective practice involves critical thinking about one's own beliefs and actions in order to generate new insights and grow professionally. I work with child care professionals to identify how they can use reflective practice to be aware of their own biases and improve how they relate to clients.