Our Staff at Cascade Child & Family Center

Dr. Nathan F Osborn is a board certified psychiatrist, practicing in Bend OR. He completed medical school at the University of California, Davis. A residency in general psychiatry at the University of Arizona in Tucson and a Fellowship in Adolescent & Child Psychiatry, Children’s National Health System Medical Center in Washington DC.

Prior to entering medical school, Dr. Osborn was a high school English teacher, water polo and swimming coach in Palo Alto, California. His experience as a teacher and coach is an invaluable resource in interfacing with the schools, as well as understanding the challenges faced by our students navigating the challenge of learning in today’s educational environment.

“Mental health problems in children (or anyone!) never occur in isolation, they always appear in the context of other stresses.  Physical sickness, sleep and diet disruption, family illness or discord, trauma, school related difficulties, social challenges with peers, or even just normal developmental can result in serious disruptions to learning, growth, and happiness. Together, we will seek understanding, balance, and practical solutions that best return your child and family to its proper developmental course.”

Dr. E Merritt Schader is a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist who joined Cascade Child and Family Center in 2017.

Merritt was born in Klamath Falls and raised on her family’s alfalfa farm just south of the Oregon border. After majoring in music and piano performance at Princeton University she studied piano for two years in Vienna, Austria, followed by medical school at Stanford University, psychiatry residency at the San Mateo County Psychiatry Program, and a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stanford University. Following training she worked in community psychiatry and group practice settings in Gilroy, CA and Portland, OR prior to moving to Bend with her husband and two sons in 2016.

Lea Croft, PMHNP

I completed my PMHNP training at Gonzaga University in 2022. Prior to this, I had 12 years’ experience as an RN in the Portland/Salem area and here in Central Oregon working in community health and in hospitals.

All of the positions I have held, have required strong interpersonal skills and a good background in mental health. Working in our community as a nurse showed me first hand the need for mental health and early intervention. I decided to go back to school to serve my community at a higher level and improve mental health for those struggling to lead the most fulfilling lives they can. My experiences have taught me the importance of nature, good food, family, and following one’s passion for the most rewarding and health-ful life.

In my free time I enjoy fly fishing, traveling, backpacking, camping, floating the river, painting, or reading. I value whole body wellness and using non-pharmacologic interventions as well as thoughtful and intentional medication use. I would describe my approach as holistic, and I strongly value evidence-based practice and guidelines.

Julia Duncan, PMHNP

Julia Duncan moved to Bend from Wyoming in 2020. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology then completed her registered nurse training, working as an emergency room nurse before and during graduate school. After completing her Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Wyoming, she worked in the emergency department and in women’s health. She completed her Adult Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at the University of Wyoming and then finished coursework and clinical hours in child and geriatric psychiatry to complete her family psychiatric nurse practitioner certification at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado.

Her love of working in health care inspired her to complete her Doctorate of Nursing Practice at Anschutz in 2019. Julia’s experience included community mental health, inpatient adult and adolescent treatment, hospital psychiatric consultation, and court supervised treatment. She has a background in working with adopted children and children in the foster care system.

Julia enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, running, and riding horses.

Kirsten Romney, LCSW

Kirsten is a licensed clinical social worker who has been in practice since 2017. She holds a bachelor’s in Psychology and Gender Studies from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Social Work from Portland State University. Prior to pursuing her graduate education, Kirsten found her love for the field in her work as a crisis advocate for survivors of sexual violence. She continued to pursue her passion for this work during and after her undergraduate studies at two treatment programs that specialized in supporting youth experiencing trauma, learning disabilities, and adoption and foster care related attachment issues.

After obtaining her graduate degree, Kirsten worked as a therapist and later clinical director for a therapeutic boarding school that provided treatment to girls and non-binary youth experiencing a variety of mental health challenges including anxiety, depression,attachment disorders, eating disorders, and PTSD. Passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ folks and gender affirming care, Kirsten worked diligently to support the school in reducing barriers to affirming and supportive care and has continued to work to reduce barriers to care in her outpatient work.

Kirsten enjoys working with a variety of people, but her practice focuses on children over the age of 12, teens, and adults. Her particular areas of interest are supporting LGBTQ+ folks,complex trauma, and ADHD. She has additional training in Internal Family Systems, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Collaborative Problem Solving, and is accredited as an adoption competent therapist through the Center for Adoption Support and Education.Kirsten is also an approved clinical supervisor in the state of Oregon. Kirsten truly believes that people want to do well, and seeks first to understand and know her clients. She is accepting, curious, humorous, and direct in her approach. While therapeutic work is never easy, Kirsten strives to ensure the relationship created in therapy feels safe, collaborative, open, and enjoyable.

Kirsten spends her free time enjoying the many outdoor activities Bend has to offer with her partner, including ice hockey, skiing, and cycling. When indoors, she spends her time honing the art of breadmaking and spoiling her beloved housecat Milo.

Annette Pelletier is a licensed clinical social worker who earned her master’s degree in social work from Texas State University. Annette has extensive experience working with individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and presenting concerns.Annette Pelletier LCSW She has worked in a variety of settings to include wilderness therapy, schools, residential treatment programs, nonprofit organizations, and in private practice. Annette approaches her work through trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), reality therapy, motivational interviewing, brainspotting, equine-assisted psychotherapy, and adventure therapy interventions. Annette is certified in choice theory and reality therapy through the William Glasser Institute and received EMDR training through the EMDR Institute, where she received her certification of completion for EMDR part 1 and part 2. Additionally, Annette is trained and certified in trauma-focused equine-assisted psychotherapy and has specialized training in the use of equine-connected EMDR through The Natural Lifemanship Institute. Annette is also a certified adventure therapist through the Association for Experiential Education.

Annette walks individuals through the healing process of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, family relational issues, attachment disorders, substance use disorders, emerging personality disorders, and other challenges. Annette is passionate about working with individuals and families. She recognizes everyone has strengths to build upon to work toward growth and healing. Annette enjoys helping individuals see those strengths and build on those strengths to help them see their personal worth, helping them recognize they are enough, always have been enough, and always will be enough. It is important to Annette to help others learn how to navigate expressing their thoughts and feelings more openly and honestly so they can use their voices and show up in their lives more authentically.

In her free time, Annette enjoys spending time with her family rock climbing, hiking, camping, and caring for her three rescue horses.

Kara Skattum, MFTA 

My name is Kara Skattum, and I am a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Prior to my time at Regis University, I attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins where I received a Bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies, double concentration in Prevention and Intervention Sciences and Leadership and Entrepreneurship. Through my schooling, I worked in many settings including the school environment, adolescent and young adult intensive outpatient treatment, and private practice. These experiences along with my education have created an emphasis on the impact of family systems, complex trauma, and societal factors have on an individual’s wellness. I see all my clients through a non-pathologizing lens and believe every individual has the capacity to heal.

I am a Colorado native and moved to Bend in January of 2023. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything Central Oregon has to offer including trail runs, biking, snowboarding, and paddleboarding. I look forward to continuing to explore and integrate myself into this wonderful community.

Celeste Harding

Practice Manager

Chris Gallacher

Intake Care Coordinator

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