The path to substantial systemic change is collective action. Together, we will strive to give members of your community the healing they deserve.
To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.
-Rosa Parks-
Meet Dr. Avivah McPherson
Perinatal Clinical Psychologist
Educator
Consultant
Avivah McPherson, Psy.D., is a dual licensed Perinatal Clinical Psychologist with particular expertise in Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Clinically, Dr. McPherson has a passion for working with pediatric populations, integrated health systems, and enhancing the development and implementation of culturally informed practices within systems that impact marginalized and diverse communities.
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In her current role as a Perinatal Psychologist and Program Development consultant with Northside Hospital, she is piloting the development of an integrated Maternal and Infant-Mental Health clinical program across 5 Northside Hospital campuses in Georgia. Dr. McPherson also serves as a thought partner with the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS), providing thought-provoking and sensory engaging professional training to community-based professionals on infant-mental health and the tenets of trauma-informed culturally responsive care within foster care. ​
Motivated by the opportunity to reduce disparities in healthcare, Dr. McPherson has worked collaboratively with the former Surgeon General of California, to improve health outcomes and reduce the impact of toxic stress by screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and providing early intervention for infants and young children ages zero to five. Dr. McPherson has collaborated with policymakers and key stakeholders within the states of California and Georgia, to support the development and implementation of healthcare policies and systemic reforms that advance early intervention and promote infant and early childhood mental health. Additionally, she has served as a contributing research partner with the ACE Aware Initiative of California and participated in the development and piloting of the PEARLS screening tool utilized nationally to identify and screen for Adverse Childhood Experiences. Lastly, she has served as a psychological consultant for media content creation with Sesame Street, PBS Kids, and Netflix’s Little Monsters.
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​My vision and ability to inspire growth are shaped by insight and experience gained as a Perinatal Clinical Psychologist. I am here to help people and organizations grow in the areas of diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice! I want to help you by using my life, passion, and understanding of human psychology and behavior to help your organization actualize unique visions for growth, and support your communities to achieve the healing they deserve.
