This course is designed for professionals interested in an introduction to the field of infant mental health and intervention with infants, toddlers, and their parents. Readings, video, and observational tasks are included to familiarize students with the foundations of infant mental health and direct work with infants and parents. While not a clinical class, this course introduces the role and function of the infant mental health specialist and the use of relationship and reflection in work with families.

The course is divided into eight modules:

Module 1: What is infant mental health?

Module 2: Infant mental health is an integrative, multi-disciplinary field of research and practice

Module 3: On being an infant mental health specialist

Module 4: Listening toward understanding: A cornerstone of working with infants and parents

Module 5: Observing infants

Module 6: Collaborations in infant mental health work

Module 7: Group care of infants and toddlers

Module 8: Relationship and reflection on infant mental health work

This training addresses competencies promoted through the Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health®, Minnesota Association for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (MAIECMH).

Next Session: June 4 to August 6, 2012

Cost

$225 plus required textbook (group rates available)

Register Online

Required Textbook

Please purchase the required textbook prior to the start of the session:

• Shirilla, J., & Weatherston, D. (Eds.)(2002). Case Studies in Infant Mental Health: Risk, Resiliency, and Relationships. Zero to Three.

Register Online

Continuing Education Certificate

24 clock hours

Marit Appeldoorn, Instructor

Marit Appeldoorn, MSW, LICSW, has a long-standing interest in infant and early childhood mental health, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration in group settings and working with families experiencing multiple levels of risk. She is on the adjunct faculty of the Augsburg College social work department, and has a private psychotherapy practice in Minneapolis. Marit is a 1996 graduate of Smith College School for Social Work.

Marit teaches CEED's online course Introduction to Infant Mental Health.

Comments from Past Participants

• "This is an excellent course. I will highly recommend it to my peers."
• "I learned much more than I expected and found the variety of professionals taking the class interesting. It is a great way to gain information when working full-time. I would definitely take another online course from CEED."
• "The video segments were very, very much appreciated. They helped bridge the difference between a conference and learning via computer or book."
• "Great information and I have recommended this course to others with whom I work."
• "I enjoyed the course. It offered information and guidance that I could apply to my job. I thought that the readings were interesting and the observation activities gave me insight on the skill that is required for Infant Mental Health providers."
• I want to thank you for all of your effort in making [this course] a positive experience. In addition to the help in my professional life, the article "Angels in the Nursery" was incredibly helpful for me in my personal life. So, I wanted to let you know what an impact your efforts had on me."
• "I am so excited to have had the opportunity to participate in this wonderful learning experience."
• "I enjoyed the class and feel as though I had real live conversations with both of you, the other students and, most of all, the parents in the book. This class experience is already enhancing my home visits in the Birth to three early intervention program."

Related Resources

• Flier: Introduction to Infant Mental Health online course
• Project: Minnesota Infant Mental Health
• In-Person Training: Introduction to Infant Mental Health
• Publication: Early Report, Winter 1999: Minnesota Infant Mental Health Services Feasibility Study
• Publication: Early Report, Spring 2007: Children's Mental Health: Promoting School- and Life-Readiness

Upcoming Sessions

• Summer 2012: June 4 to August 6, 2012
• Fall 2012: October 15 to December 17, 2012

Questions?

If you have further questions our would like a copy of the syllabus, please contact Karen Anderson, CEED Online Course Manager, at 612-625-6617 or ander352@umn.edu.

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