Areas of Expertise
Grace brings specialized knowledge at the intersection of child development, technology, and mental health.
Technology & Mental Health
Primary Research Focus
My Perspective
We're raising the first generation of young people whose social, emotional, and identity development is fundamentally shaped by algorithms. The question isn't whether technology affects mental health—it's how we equip families, clinicians, and educators to navigate this reality with nuance and evidence.
I approach this work by examining not just screen time metrics, but the quality of digital experiences. What does it mean when a 14-year-old's primary social feedback loop is mediated by recommendation systems optimized for engagement rather than wellbeing? How do we preserve the benefits of connectivity while addressing the mental health risks?
Key Areas
Understanding how platforms shape adolescent self-perception, social comparison, and anxiety patterns
Evidence-based approaches to healthy technology use that go beyond simple time limits
Distinguishing between healthy engagement and problematic gaming patterns in children and teens
Translating the latest research into practical guidance for families and clinicians
AI Ethics in Clinical Practice
Emerging Field Leadership
My Perspective
Artificial intelligence is already transforming mental health care—through chatbot therapists, AI-powered diagnostic tools, and algorithm-driven treatment recommendations. But we're moving faster than our ethical frameworks can accommodate.
As both a clinician and an educator, I believe we need to ask harder questions: What happens to the therapeutic relationship when AI mediates the conversation? How do we ensure equity when algorithms are trained on historically biased data? Who is responsible when an AI system makes a harmful recommendation to a vulnerable teen?
My work in this space focuses on developing ethical guidelines that protect young people while remaining open to genuine innovation.
Key Focus Areas
Evaluating chatbot and app-based interventions for safety, efficacy, and ethical considerations
Protecting youth mental health data in an era of AI training and commercial interests
Examining how AI systems may perpetuate disparities in mental health diagnosis and treatment
Developing frameworks for clinicians navigating AI integration in their practice
Adolescent Anxiety & Depression
Clinical Specialization
My Perspective
Teen anxiety isn't new, but the landscape has shifted dramatically. Today's adolescents face academic pressure, social media-amplified comparison, climate anxiety, and political polarization—all while their developing brains are trying to establish identity and emotional regulation.
In my clinical work at The Ross Center, I see the real-world impact: teens who are high-achieving but deeply anxious, socially connected online but profoundly lonely, and aware of global crises but feeling powerless to act. Effective treatment requires meeting them where they are—acknowledging their reality while building genuine skills for resilience.
Treatment Approaches
Evidence-based cognitive and dialectical behavior therapy adapted for modern adolescent challenges
Working with parents to understand and support anxious teens without accommodating avoidance
Addressing perfectionism, test anxiety, and the pressure of college preparation
Supporting teens navigating peer relationships both online and in-person
School-Based Mental Health
Program Development & Training
My Perspective
Schools are on the front lines of the adolescent mental health crisis, but most educators aren't trained as clinicians. They're being asked to identify struggling students, manage classroom anxiety, respond to crises, and create emotionally safe environments—often without adequate resources or frameworks.
My work focuses on bringing evidence-based mental health tools into educational settings in ways that are practical, sustainable, and empowering for teachers. This means translating clinical concepts into accessible language, providing concrete strategies, and respecting the reality of classroom constraints.
Program Components
Teaching educators dialectical behavior therapy tools for supporting emotional regulation in students
Preparing school staff to recognize warning signs and respond effectively to mental health emergencies
Supporting educators' own mental health while they care for students
Helping schools create effective, ethical technology and mental health policies
Work With Grace
Available for consultation, program development, and professional training in these areas.