Conversations with Candicee Childs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Candicee Childs.

Candicee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey truly began in Savannah, Georgia, where I was raised with a deep appreciation for faith, education, and service. From a young age, I loved science and wanted to one day make a difference in people’s lives. That passion led me to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Spanish from Valdosta State University, followed by a Master of Health Administration from Georgia Southern University, and ultimately my Doctor of Medicine degree from Augusta University – Medical College of Georgia.

Throughout my medical training, I realized that my heart was especially drawn to mental health, particularly working with children and adolescents. Today, I serve as a resident physician at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where I plan to focus on child and adolescent psychiatry. My future work will center on helping people and families navigate challenges while building resilience, emotional awareness, and hope.

At the same time, I’ve always believed that purpose extends beyond a single title. Writing became one of the ways I processed my own journey and encouraged others. My Christian memoir, “Lemons, Lemonade, and the Lemonade Stand: My Bittersweet Journey to Medical School”, shares the lessons I learned overcoming adversity on the path to medicine. My children’s book, “Cece’s Sour and Sweet Journey to Medical School”, was born from a desire to help young readers see that both the “sour” and “sweet” moments in life help shape who we become.

All of this work connects under my personal brand, Brighter with Dr. Childs. Brighter with Dr. Childs is built on the belief that no matter your background or circumstances, you can grow brighter — mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and professionally. Through my passion for empowering others, speaking engagements like TEDxSavannah and university commencements, mentorship, and writing, my mission is to uplift, empower, and equip others to pursue their purpose while protecting their mental wellness.

In many ways, my story is about integration — blending science and faith, resilience and empathy, ambition and self-care — and using every platform I’ve been given to help others live brighter lives.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A smooth road? Some might look at my accomplishments and assume that it has been. And I am deeply grateful for every opportunity and milestone. But the truth is, the journey has included many obstacles along the way.

My memoir and my children’s book both reflect some of those “sour” seasons — from experiencing grief to facing rejection from medical school before ultimately being accepted. Life has brought both highs and lows, and each one shaped me in different ways.

My most recent and most profound challenge has been losing my mother during residency. It was the greatest heartbreak I have ever experienced. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss her warmth, her love, and her wisdom. Walking through that kind of grief while also enduring the intensity of physician training and comforting others with similar challenges while balancing being there for my loved ones back home, was at times, overwhelmingly heavy.

But my mother taught me something that continues to anchor me: keep going and hold onto my faith. No matter the stumbling blocks, keep going. I carry that lesson with me every day. I know honoring her means continuing forward with gratitude for the love she poured into me and striving to fulfill God’s purpose for my life, which is to help make people’s lives a little brighter with hope, empathy, and care.

That philosophy is truly at the heart of my faith, knowing to trust in Christ. Life is not just sweet. It includes sour moments, too. But both are necessary. Both stretch us. Both refine us. And if we allow them to, even the hardest seasons can shape us into something brighter. All things work together for the good, even when we do not understand it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am currently a training psychiatrist completing my residency, with a plan to focus my passion for child and adolescent mental health in fellowship following my residency training. My current work centers on helping people of all ages and their families navigate emotional and behavioral challenges with compassion, clarity, and evidence-based care.

I do my best to integrate empathy with my care. Mental health care is deeply personal, and I strive to create spaces where patients feel both safe and empowered. My approach blends clinical rigor with warmth, cultural awareness, and a strong emphasis on resilience-building.

Beyond clinical care, I am deeply invested in mental health advocacy, storytelling, and education. Through speaking engagements, writing, and my platform Brighter with Dr. Childs, I work to reduce stigma around mental health and help individuals develop emotional insight while protecting their overall wellness. I believe psychiatry is not just about diagnosing and treating — it is about restoring hope and helping people see that healing and growth are possible.

What I am most proud of is not simply the degrees or accolades, but the ability to continue showing up with compassion and dedication even during personally challenging seasons. Walking through grief while training to become a psychiatrist strengthened my empathy and deepened my commitment to this field.

What sets me apart is the integration of science, storytelling, faith, and advocacy. I do not see psychiatry as confined to the clinic. I see it as a mission to make mental wellness accessible, relatable, and empowering — especially for young people. My goal is to help children, adolescents, and families not only manage symptoms, but truly live brighter lives.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is spending time with Christ through prayer. That relationship anchors me. It reminds me that even in difficult seasons, there is hope, joy, and purpose. Knowing that my identity is rooted in something greater than my circumstances gives me peace, especially when life feels heavy.

I also find deep joy in creativity. Whether it’s pottery, painting, modeling, or other artistic outlets, creating something with my hands feels grounding and restorative. I have enjoyed creativity through modeling and fashion- embracing body positivity and promoting confidence to others through my platforms. Travel brings me happiness as well — experiencing new cultures, tasting different foods, and learning in immersive ways. One of my favorite experiences was taking a croissant-making class in Paris. Moments like that remind me how beautiful and expansive the world is.

Being outdoors is another place where I feel happy and refreshed — running, hiking, or simply being near water, whether at the beach or by a lake. Water, especially, brings me clarity and calm. I love nature!

At the heart of it all, I’m happiest when I’m growing — spiritually, creatively, physically — and when I’m able to pour that growth back into others. Joy for me comes from connection: connection with God, with nature, with creativity, with other cultures, and with people.

Pricing:

• $30 for my children’s book

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.candicee-childs.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candicee_childs_md/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brighter-with-Dr-Childs/61555754475044/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicee-childs-md-mha-nasm-cnc-nasm-cpt-304a4048?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicee-childs-md