Where This Began

I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, a business owner, and a soon to be published author, but more importantly, I’m someone who understands, both professionally and personally, how overwhelming and confusing the mind can feel, especially for children and families navigating complex conditions.

My work in psychiatry has allowed me to support individuals across the lifespan, helping those experiencing anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma, and more complex mental health presentations. Over time, I found myself drawn to the patients who didn’t fit neatly into one diagnosis, the ones with shifting symptoms, overlapping conditions, and stories that didn’t fully make sense within traditional models of care.

That’s where everything began to change.

Through both my clinical work and personal experience within my own family, I became deeply connected to the reality of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) and other autoimmune-related conditions. I have not only supported families navigating these challenges—I have lived it alongside them.

I saw firsthand how quickly a child can change, how emotions, behaviors, and thoughts can shift almost overnight, and how incredibly difficult it is for both the child and their family to explain what is happening.
What stood out the most wasn’t just the symptoms. It was the isolation.

Parents trying to piece things together on their own.
Children feeling overwhelmed by thoughts they didn’t understand.
And a gap between what was happening at home and what could be captured in a clinical setting.

That experience shaped everything that followed.



Me and My Pandas was created to give those invisible experiences a voice.

To give children a way to see, name, and understand what’s happening inside of them—without fear.

And to give families tools that feel simple, supportive, and accessible in everyday life.

The stories are deeply inspired by children navigating PANDAS and autoimmune-related challenges, but they were intentionally created for all children, especially those experiencing anxiety, ADHD, sensory overwhelm, intrusive thoughts, or big emotions that feel hard to control.

Because at the core, every child deserves:
- Language for their feelings
- Understanding without judgment
- Tools that actually help

Through the pandas, children begin to learn something incredibly powerful:
- Thoughts are not commands
- Feelings can be understood
- And they are not alone in what they experience



As this journey evolved, it became clear that families needed more than just stories—they needed ongoing support, structure, and a way to make sense of patterns over time.

That’s what led to the creation of Calm Pathways and Autoimmune Pathways.

These digital platforms were built to bridge the gap between clinical care and real life—helping families and individuals track symptoms, identify patterns, and feel more in control of their journey. They are rooted in the same mission as the books: turning confusion into clarity, and overwhelm into understanding.

A Different Approach to Mental Health

My approach has always been centered on the belief that mental health is not just about treating symptoms—it’s about understanding the full picture.

That means looking at:
- The brain and the body
- Patterns over time
- Emotional and environmental influences
- And the individual experience behind the diagnosis

Whether through clinical care, digital tools, or storytelling, my goal is to create resources that help people feel seen, supported, and empowered.



At the end of the day, this work is about helping children and families feel safe in their own minds.

Because even on the hardest days,
when thoughts feel loud,
when emotions feel overwhelming,
and when things don’t make sense,

Children are still strong.
They are still capable.
And they are still themselves.

Why I Created Me and My Pandas

From Story to Support: Expanding the Mission

The Heart Behind It All