Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus
Dr. Tara Hays is an experienced behaviorist with over 23 years in the field of behavioral psychology, specializing in the treatment of severe problem behaviors, staff training, and quality improvement. As the Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services at Inova Fairfax, she leads initiatives to improve clinical practices and outcomes for children and adolescents facing behavioral health challenges.

Dr. Hays holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, along with a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University, a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy Analysis from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the same institution.

Her research contributions span healthcare quality improvement, intervention strategies for severe problem behaviors, and the effects of autism on the family system. In addition to her clinical and academic work, Dr. Hays has extensive experience mentoring students and professionals, while spearheading quality improvement projects to enhance behavioral healthcare practices.