Growing Knowledge. Strengthening Early Mental Health.

Who We Are

Tessa Chesher

D.O., IMH-E®
Hi, I’m Tessa Chesher. I’ve always believed that the earliest relationships in a child’s life shape everything that comes after—and that belief has guided me at every step of my career. Today, as the owner and Medical Director of Acorn ConnectEd, I get to work alongside caregivers, professionals, and systems that support infants, young children, and families. It’s work that feels both deeply personal and endlessly meaningful.

My path into psychiatry started with a curiosity about how people grow, heal, and connect. That curiosity eventually led me through general psychiatry training at the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine and then to Tulane University School of Medicine, where I completed my fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry. While I was there, I fell in love with infant and early childhood mental health and completed a Harris Fellowship focused on supporting our youngest children and their caregivers. I also earned IMH‑E® endorsement as both a Clinical Mentor and a Research/Faculty Mentor—recognition that continues to shape my teaching and clinical work today.

Over the years, I’ve become especially passionate about helping children and families who have experienced trauma and supporting teams that care for them, whether in medical settings, early childhood programs, or community systems. Teaching has also become a thread that runs through everything I do. I’ve been fortunate to serve on faculty at Tulane School of Medicine, OU School of Community Medicine, and OSU Center for Health Sciences, and to provide infant mental health education internationally.
At the heart of it all, what matters most to me is connection. Whether I’m working with a family, supporting a professional, or helping systems think differently about how they care for children, I’m always grounded in the belief that relationships are where healing begins.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me curled up with a good mystery novel or spending time with my family. Those moments keep me grounded, curious, and reminded of why this work means so much.

Our Community Partners

Our success depends on our sponsors and supporters. As a collaborative organization, our impact and scope would not be possible without our fundraising and knowledge supporters.

Relationship-Centered Learning

We root every learning experience in meaningful human connection, nurturing reflection, attunement, and relational insight to strengthen professionals’ capacity to support infants, young children, and their caregivers.

Evidence-Informed Practice

Our trainings weave developmental science, grounded theory, and practical wisdom to help professionals confidently apply research-supported approaches in their daily work with young children and families.

Reflective Practice

We foster spaces where professionals slow down, reflect, and deepen their understanding of themselves and the families they support, strengthening relational capacity and compassionate decision-making.

Growing Together

We cultivate a collaborative community where shared learning, curiosity, and reflective practice help professionals grow collectively in support of children’s early development and relational well-being.

Deepen Your Practice. Strengthen Your Impact.