Infant Mental Health

Catalog description

This weekend course will focus on psychologist’s roles in the specialty field of Infant Mental Health. IMH refers to the optimal social and emotional development of a child (0-6) in the context of critical attachment relationships. Core competencies in this field will be outlined and some discussed in depth. While it is outside of the scope of this course to address all of the key IMH competencies in depth, we will review each briefly so interested students can leave with an understanding of what is required to gain expertise in IMH. We will consider the impact of trauma and traumatic stress on children’s development as well as the critical role of attachment. Assessment and diagnosis of this population will be explored. Psychotherapeutic treatment approaches for this population will be presented through theoretical material and clinical case examples.