| 1987-1991 | University of Cincinnati B.A. Magna cum laude with honors in psychology, University of Cincinnati. Senior Thesis: Psychological adjustment of parents of children with cancer. |
| 1991-1993 | University of Cincinnati M.A. Clinical Psychology Masters Thesis: Psychosocial adjustment of children with cancer and comparison peers. |
| 1993 – 1996 | University of Cincinnati Ph.D. Clinical Psychology Doctoral Dissertation: Childhood aggression and chronic illness: The protective mechanisms. |
| 1996-1997 | APA approved internship at the University Affiliated, Child Development and Rehabilitation Center, Oregon Health Sciences University. |
| 1997 | Graduation with a Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Cincinnati |
| 1997-1999 | Post Doctoral Fellowship: NIMH sponsored Emotion Research Training program at the University of Oregon |