Who We Are

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 every step of my career. Today, as the owner and Medical Director of Acorn ConnectEd, I’m grateful to work alongside caregivers, professionals, and systems that support infants, young children, and their families. 

My path into psychiatry grew from a curiosity about how people grow, heal, and connect. That curiosity led me through general psychiatry training at the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine and then to Tulane University School of Medicine for a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship. I completed a Harris Fellowship in infant mental health, and later earned IMH‑E® endorsements as a Clinical Mentor and a Research/Faculty Mentor—credentials that continue to shape my teaching and clinical work.

Over the years, I’ve become especially passionate about supporting infants, young children, and their families—especially those who have experienced trauma—and the teams who care for them across medical, early childhood, and community settings. Teaching is a meaningful part of that work, and I’ve been fortunate to serve on faculty at Tulane University School of Medicine, the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine, and Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. I value practice that’s grounded in solid research and ongoing training, and I try to bring evidence‑based practices into every space I’m part of. At the heart of it all is connection—whether I’m supporting a family, a professional, or a system, I’m guided by the belief that relationships are where healing begins.

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