Biography:

 

My research integrates methodology and theory from child clinical and school psychology, health psychology, and public health to evaluate biological, psychological, and social factors that influence family welling and child development. Using mixed-methods and patient-oriented approaches, this research informs the creation of scalable prevention and intervention programs to promote child development and family wellbeing. Specific emphases of my work include caregiver wellbeing and parenting across child developmental stages and neurodiversity, with a particular focus on family-centred care and non-birther caregivers during the transition to parenthood. A key value of this work is creating accessible and affordable evidence-based programming for all families, which has led to the development of digital mental health and parenting interventions to reduce barriers to service access.

My research is based on a foundation of interdisciplinary, collaborative perspectives across domains of child development to promote a comprehensive understanding of child and family wellbeing. At every research stage, this work is informed by caregivers with lived experience of mental health concerns to ensure the accurate representation of caregiver concerns in the evolving programs. Further, community-engaged research ensures the resulting programs are integrated into current systems to support families in a timely manner. A key goal of my work is to shift the conversation around perinatal and early childhood care to be family-centered, encompassing all primary caregivers, to better support the wellbeing and health of the whole family. The ultimate goal is to empower all caregivers to raise happy and healthy children.