What is Infant Mental Health?
You may be wondering....
Does my baby/toddler need these services? What can these services do for us? The Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health and the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health state that there are Three Reasons that Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Matter: Brain, Body, Behavior.
Having strong, attuned, attentive, nurturing, and safe relationships helps Children Thrive!
Having these types of Secure Relationships helps the Brain Grow! In being a consistent, predictable, and loving presence in your child’s life, you are strengthening their brain development. You are building a strong foundation for learning, social-emotional development, and modeling healthy relationships.
We do not exist in a world that is stress-free. Stress can help us. Think of the last time you had a
challenge, your stress increased, correct? Or the last time you were very excited over something! We have a stress response. Not all stress is bad, if we are able to navigate through it. What helps us do that?
Strong connections! Through your relationship, you can help your child successfully navigate stressful situations in a way that does not create toxic and chronic stress. When children learn to effectively manage stress, they feel more empowered and confident. This means there are less stress hormones in their Brain and they can learn and attend to their environment.
Choosing Mental Health Services does not always have to mean that something bad has happened to the child or family. Just as there is positive stress, there can be positive changes. Like what you ask? Birth of a new child/sibling, moving to a bigger home, transitioning from preschool to kindergarten. Whatever the reason may be, positive or negative, the objective is Strengthen Relationships so Children can Thrive!
What can infant mental health work include?
Want to learn how Amazing Newborns are and all that they can do?
I can show you through the Newborn Behavior Observation.
Want to learn how to Deepen the Quality of Relationship with your newborn/infant?
Join me for Infant Massage, where you learn to directly provide your baby with a loving, nurturing touch that has great benefits to the relationship, their health, and sleep!
What to understand the meaning underlying your Child’s behavior?
Participate in my Reflective Parenting Group! A way to take a step back, look at your child, and
understand how they are navigating and responding to the world around them.
You’re concerned about your Child’s Development?
Let’s consult. You’re the EXPERT in your Child’s Life and, if needed, we will schedule an appointment for
a Developmental Screener.
Need help Managing Challenging Behaviors?
I can provide Dyadic/Family therapy.
Want to know more and how infant mental health services can specifically help your Family?
Please note that a blog post is not medical advice nor does it mean the reader and I have entered into a therapeutic relationship.