About Dr. Tantum
I am a Licensed Psychologist and received my Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in clinical psychology at Loyola University Maryland. My undergraduate studies were at Boston University where I majored in psychology and English. I completed my pediatric psychology internship at the Institute of Living/ Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut and my postdoctoral fellowship in the Pediatric Medical Psychology program at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. I have trained across many care settings including inpatient psychiatric hospital, partial day hospital, outpatient community mental health, and private practice.
Dr. Tantum's Therapeutic Approach
I am experienced in supporting individuals of all ages in coping with medical conditions and diagnoses, and I specialize in providing evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents with various complex medical conditions to address behavioral/emotional difficulties related to medical procedures, adherence, and treatment. I also have extensive experience treating children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of behavioral and emotional challenges, including major depression, generalized anxiety, specific phobia, selective mutism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and serious mental illness (SMI). I have comprehensive training in providing family therapy, parent management training (PMT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure with response prevention (ERP), interpersonal therapy (IPT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based therapy, and social skills training in both individual and group settings. I have also been trained in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Treatment for Child Anxiety.
I describe my therapeutic approach as collaborative, client-centered, and empathic. I strive to cultivate an accepting, warm, and supportive environment to help clients explore their challenges and create positive change. I also integrate contextual factors into the treatment process, including the family context, school environment (if applicable), as well as any psychosocial stressors. Treatment is individualized for each client’s needs; I aim to meet my clients where they are while facilitating their growth towards their goals.
I am looking forward to working with you!
