With a passion for this family-centered approach to understanding mental health, I started working as an intern with 3-C Family Services through UNC’s Karen M. Gil Internship Program on the clinical psychology track. I work with a team of professionals in psychology, psychiatry, and counseling to support children’s mental health and social skills while also helping to strengthen family relationships. Dr. Lori Schweickert, the medical director of 3-C Family Services, is my exceptional mentor who has guided my assistance on a wide range of tasks around the clinic.

Every week, I write literature reviews on various psychopathological disorders, including Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). This work is expanding my knowledge of the state of contemporary mental health research. Another key responsibility at the clinic is facilitating weekly social skills group sessions for children aged 4-5 with Autism Spectrum Disorder, alongside Dr. Meagan Padro. As a semester-long project, I will be revising the social skills group lesson plans to help group leaders effectively guide these sessions.

One of my favorite tasks thus far has been shadowing and scribing for psychiatric intake and individual therapy sessions. I get to observe how clinicians uniquely engage with their clients and apply therapeutic techniques modified to fit the client’s lifestyle. I love interacting directly with clients, building a strong therapeutic relationship with them, and seeing how the work we put in each week really does make a difference in their mental health.