Behind every meaningful treatment experience is a team of people deeply committed to helping others heal, grow, and rediscover their sense of possibility. At The Children’s Center, our clinicians, mentors, and staff bring both professional expertise and personal passion to the work they do every day.
In our Meet Our Team series, we highlight the individuals who make our program so special. Through these conversations, you will learn more about their roles at The Children’s Center, what inspires their work in the mental health and recovery field, and the experiences that shape their approach to supporting clients and families.
In this edition, we are excited to introduce Celina Moore, MD, FAAP, Pediatric Consultant at The Children’s Center, who shares insights into her role, her perspective on the recovery journey, and what continues to motivate her in this field.
Q: Tell us about your role! What do you do at The Children’s Center and what do you love most about your job? What specialties or therapeutic approaches do you bring to your work?
A: I am a general pediatrician with expertise in diagnosing and treating children and adolescents who struggle with common mental health issues.
Q: What is your “why?” What motivated or inspired you to be in this field?
A: I do this work because often times children’s emotions are misunderstood, minimized, or addressed too late and when a child can be truly seen, their trajectory in life can be changed. I have spent my career caring for families who are scared, overwhelmed, and searching for support. Early, compassionate, thoughtful intervention can prevent years of difficulties later on.
Q: What makes you excited to be a part of the The Children’s Center Team?
A: I am excited to integrate a holistic approach to pediatric mental health, allowing for my years as a general pediatrician to give me insight to struggles that children and families have with a mental health diagnosis.
Q: What do you wish more people knew about your profession?
A: Pediatricians have a unique perspective in the lives of children and families. We are there to see and support the whole child by offering thoughtful, relationship-based mental health care when they need it most.
Q: Is there a personal philosophy or guiding principle that shapes the way you approach care?
A: My goal is to make children feel safe, understood, and supported while empowering families with tools and education as they navigate a clear path forward.
Q: Do you have any professional publications, honors, awards or other highlights that we can feature? If so, please share details and any relevant links below.
A: I am the co-founder and medical director of Akoma Ntoso Foundation, a nonprofit that provides medical care in rural Ghana. www.anfghana.org