An Introduction to Infant Mental Health and Infant-led Work with Families

This introduction to infantled practice and infant mental health in the context of family practice will cover:

• Infant mental health and the caregiving context
• What is infant-led practice
• The development of self within the context of relationships
• Early brain development and the therapeutic relationships
• What to do in the therapeutic space

The course comprises both a presentation and a therapeutic demonstration with a mother and child.

Who should register? This course is relevant to social workers (and other counsellors and allied health professionals) working with individuals, families, groups and/or wider communities; including within clinical mental health settings.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will gain an understanding of:

• Infant mental health and the caregiving context
• What underpins and exemplifies infant-led practice
• How to challenge ‘adult-centric’ thinking and the development of self within the context of relationships
• Early brain development and the therapeutic relationship
• What to do in the therapeutic space

AASW Credentials: Mental Health; Clinical

Presenter details

Dr Wendy Bunston is a social worker, associate teacher at La Trobe University, and director of wb training and consultancy. Wendy is a passionate speaker, and has worked in the child and family welfare sector for 30 years.

Wendy previously managed the multi, national award-winning Addressing Family Violence Programs in Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, Mental Health Service, as a senior infant mental health clinician and consultant family therapist. Wendy’s PhD on the experience of infants in women’s refuges won the prestigious ‘Nancy Millis’ award in 2016. Wendy is also the author of multiple international articles, chapters and her recent book, “Helping Babies and Children to Heal after Family Violence” is published by UK publishers, Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Her latest book on “Supporting Vulnerable Babies” was published 2019.