Meet a Mom: Supported and Empowered with Elle O’Brien, Founder of Mind-Body Pediatric Psychiatry

Introducing to the Chicago North Shore Moms community, mom of two, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and founder of Mind-Body Pediatric Psychiatry, Elle O’Brien!

Elle O’Brien wants you to know something firmly rooted in her core: “… healing is always possible.” Having experienced firsthand how fragmented healthcare can be, Elle set out to be a solution to the problem. Her virtual pediatric psychiatry practice aims to bring convenient, results-driven sessions to families in Illinois via a mash-up of evidence-based treatments and holistic wellness practices – individual care as unique as the person she treats. She explains, “My approach emphasizes each child’s unique story, strengths, and needs, aiming to help families feel supported and empowered throughout their journey.”

Get to know more about Elle and Mind-Body Pediatric Psychiatry. Welcome, Elle!

 

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Hi Elle! Please introduce yourself. What city do you live in now, and what brought you there?

Hi, I’m Elle O’Brien. I’m a mom of two and the founder of Mind-Body Pediatric Psychiatry. We live in St. Louis now to be closer to family, but Chicago still feels like home in a lot of ways. I’m back often for work and to spend time with family & friends.

I have two little ones; a curious, energetic 5-year-old boy who’s always coming up with new adventures, and a strong-willed, joyful 2-year-old girl who’s determined to keep up with him. They’ve taught me a lot about patience, creativity, and noticing the little things. Whether it’s stopping to marvel at a construction site, collecting pine cones on a walk, or asking why the moon is out during the day, they remind me to slow down and stay curious.

 

 

What are one or two fun or surprising things people might not know about you?

I’ve been vegetarian since I was nine, ever since a bad chicken strip ruined meat for me. Also, I can get pretty competitive when it comes to board games or card games. Winning isn’t everything, but I definitely enjoy it!

 

 

When you come back to visit the North Shore, what are your favorite places to hang and eat, with and without the kiddos?

Some of our favorite places with the kids are Kohl Children’s Museum, the beach, and the model trains at Chicago Botanic Garden. When I have time to myself or catch up with friends, I love Blind Faith Café in Evanston, Spirit Elephant in Winnetka, and Alchemy Coffee in Wilmette.

 

 

Your mantra?

“Growth takes work, and healing is always possible.” I deeply believe in the potential of children and their families to grow and thrive when they have the right support. Meaningful change is achievable with patience, commitment, and appropriate resources. It’s not always simple, but the outcomes are powerful when we trust the process.

 

 

This is a great segue to your practice! Please introduce Mind-Body Pediatric Psychiatry.

I’m the founder and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Mind-Body Pediatric Psychiatry, a virtual child and adolescent psychiatry practice serving families across Illinois. I work closely with children, teens, and their caregivers, providing thoughtful, individualized care that integrates evidence-based treatments and holistic wellness practices. My approach emphasizes each child’s unique story, strengths, and needs, aiming to help families feel supported and empowered throughout their journey.

 

What inspired you to start the practice, and what makes it different?

Having worked in both primary care and psychiatry, I experienced firsthand how fragmented healthcare can be, leaving families rushed and frustrated. I wanted to offer something different: more time, genuine collaboration, and integrative care options. Mind-Body Pediatric Psychiatry blends compassion, scientific rigor and convenience. This eliminates waitlists and streamlining the experience for families.

 

 

Walk us through a typical first appointment with you.

Once an appointment is scheduled online, I send detailed intake forms to complete ahead of time so we can make the most of our time together. The first session is a 60-minute video visit that includes both the child and their caregivers. Depending on the child’s age and comfort level, I typically spend some time speaking with parents alone and some time one-on-one with the child to get a well-rounded understanding of their experience.

During the session, we talk about daily routines, strengths, challenges, sleep habits, nutrition, relationships, screen use, and activities. My goal is to get a clear picture of what life looks like for your child and what support might be helpful. From there, we either schedule a follow-up for further assessment or begin building a personalized wellness plan tailored to your family’s needs.

 

Advice for parents – when do you know it’s time to reach out for help?

If your child is consistently anxious, sad, irritable, having trouble focusing, experiencing frequent meltdowns, changes in sleep, or withdrawing from others, it’s a good time to reach out. You don’t need to wait for things to get worse before seeking support.
I often hear from parents that medication feels like a last resort, which I completely understand. If your child has been in therapy for a while with only partial improvement, or if you’re simply curious about what medication options might look like down the road, we can have that conversation. We can also talk about supplements and other integrative strategies. The goal is never to rush decisions, but to make sure you feel informed and supported in exploring the full range of options available.

 

How does nutrition, sleep and activity fit into your treatment plans?

These are core components. Mental health is closely tied to sleep, movement, nutrition and screen habits. I help families evaluate their routines in these areas, as they directly affect emotional regulation, focus and overall well-being. If needed, I may recommend lab tests for common deficiencies like vitamin D, iron, or B12, and I thoughtfully integrate supplements when appropriate. My focus is on sustainable, practical changes that support mental health alongside therapy or medication.

 

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Mind-Body Pediatric Psychiatry?

Mind-Body Pediatric Psychiatry is all about making high-quality mental health care more accessible and less overwhelming. We are in-network with BCBS PPO and help with out-of-network reimbursement. My goal is for parents to feel informed and supported, for kids to feel truly heard and for the entire experience to feel collaborative from the very first step.

 

What are your contact details to get started?

Learn more on the website: www.mind-bodypediatricpsychiatry.com. Questions?
Email [email protected]
Scheduling: Self-scheduling available online. Virtual care for Illinois families.

 

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