Dr. Sheppard is a licensed psychologist with a master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Sheppard has worked with children, adolescents, and their families in various settings, including schools, outpatient clinics, and residential programs. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Boston College. Dr. Sheppard has expertise supporting children and adolescents with emotion regulation difficulties, trauma, and those identifying as LGBTQ+, and is skilled in implementing Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Her research has focused on the social determinants of mental health functioning, the implementation of school-based mental health services (including prevention programs), and the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Passionate about mental health promotion and healing, Dr. Sheppard believes in the transformative power of quality and accessible services. She is dedicated to helping young people, with a particular career emphasis on LGBTQ+ youth and their families navigate emotional challenges with resilience and compassion. At Change Craft Dr. Sheppard serves as a consultant with extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ youth in the capacity of a licensed and trained behavioral health professional. In this capacity, Dr. Sheppard reviews content, proposed research plans, and campaign strategic messaging from a trauma-informed and healing centered expert perspective to advise on potentially activating language, ensure audience/participant protection, and minimize the potential for unintended consequences.