Photograph by Coco Boardman, 2023
Hello! I am a clinical psychologist and writer. I created Motivational Interviewing for Loved Ones, a simplified motivational interviewing curriculum for family caregivers and The School of Hard Talks Online, a free e-course for parents of teens and young adults interested in learning how they can use motivational interviewing with their kids. My book, The School of Hard Talks: How to Have Real Conversations with Your (Almost Grown) Kids, is available wherever you buy books! I am also an assistant professor at Boston University School of Medicine.
I see patients at Boston Medical Center in the Wellness and Recovery After Psychosis Program as well as in my private practice. Please contact me to see if I am accepting new patients.
Selected Work
I bring complex behavioral science to professional and popular audiences through engaging writing, video, and presentations. I believe that information about important topics like mental health treatment and substance use prevention should be accessible to the people who need it most. Browse a sample of recent projects below.
The School of Hard Talks Online
The School of Hard Talks Online is an interactive e-course that teaches the philosophy and skills of motivational interviewing to parents of teens and young adults.
Timing of cannabis exposure relative to prodrome and psychosis onset
This study sampled consecutive admissions (N = 246) to two community based first-episode psychosis services to characterize timing of cannabis use relative to psychosis and attenuated symptom onset, differences between those with and without cannabis exposure, and the association of age at first cannabis exposure with clinical and demographic variables.
The School of Hard Talks - THE BOOK!
The School of Hard Talks is now a book! To be released in April 2023, The School of Hard Talks: How to Have Real Conversations with Your (Almost Grown) Kids is for pre-order through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers now.
I'm a Mom and a Child Psychologist: Here's How I Changed My Patient Advice Once I Became a Parent
Before becoming a mom, I used to give advice to families that I realize now is much easier said than done. After having two kids of my own, here are six pieces of advice I now share.
Motivational Interviewing for Families @ NAMI NYC
Watch me teach motivational interviewing skills to attendees and shares my research findings on motivational interviewing for loved ones.
Coordinated Specialty Care for Early Psychosis in Massachusetts
This white paper describes how to approach first episode psychosis care provision, specific evidence-based practices, and tools for program evaluation.