What do you do when they won’t nap?

My baby is refusing to nap unless I hold her. She kicks and bites while I try to soothe her and then screams in her crib. The screaming/awake behavior doesn’t end, it can last up to 45 min. This means she is a wreck at night and is having trouble sleeping then too. What the heck do I do? She’s never been a great napper but honestly this sucks all the joy out of being with her sometimes. I’m considering paying a sleep specialist because this can’t go on. Thoughts??