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Growing Knowledge. Strengthening Early Mental Health.

Who We Are

Tessa Chesher

D.O., IMH-E®
Hi, I'm Tessa Chesher, D.O., IMH-E®. I'm a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, educator, and infant mental health specialist. I completed my psychiatry training at the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine and a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Tulane University School of Medicine, where I also completed a Harris Fellowship in Infant Mental Health. I hold IMH-E® endorsements as both a Clinical Mentor and Research/Faculty Mentor.

As the owner and Medical Director of Acorn ConnectEd, I am passionate about helping professionals, organizations, and caregivers strengthen the relationships that support healthy development, healing, and resilience in young children and families. My work combines clinical expertise, research-informed practice, consultation, and education to build capacity across healthcare, early childhood, and community systems.

At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: relationships are where healing begins.

Meet Our Instructors

Valerie Isaacs

LPC-S, IMH-E®
Valerie Isaacs is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Infant Mental Health Mentor-Clinical who is passionate about helping professionals and families build stronger relationships during the earliest years of life. With nearly 15 years of experience working with children, caregivers, and families across Oklahoma, Valerie brings both deep clinical expertise and a practical, relationship-based approach to her work.

She is the owner of Valiant Counseling and Consulting, where she provides training, reflective consultation, and infant and early childhood mental health services. Valerie is especially passionate about helping professionals grow their confidence, strengthen reflective practice, and create meaningful change for young children and the people who care for them.

Our Community Partners

We are grateful for the sponsors and supporters who stand alongside us in our work. Their encouragement, expertise, and commitment help us build meaningful connections, expand opportunities, and create a greater impact for the families and professionals we serve.

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.