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Download Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate Program Schedule, Locations and Fees
Prerequisites for the Certificate Program
 Mental health professionals with at least a master’s degree and a current license in good standing. Current or intended future practice includes assessment & treatment services to families with infant, toddler, and preschool-aged children. - Mental health support staff with associates or bachelor degrees currently working in home or center-based programs to support parenting and the behavioral development of young children.
- Early intervention and early childhood education professionals (including teachers, speech-language pathologists, and occupational & physical therapists) with at least a bachelor’s degree desiring to increase their capacity to work with families to support the social-emotional wellness of young children.
- Pediatric professionals, including nursing home visitors, who desire to increase their capacity to work with families to support the social-emotional wellness of young children.
Core Workshops
FALL TERM 2011
Workshop 1
Introduction to Early Childhood-Family Field
Instructor: Chiara Nuzzo, PhD
This full-day workshop provides an overview of the comprehensive and diverse early childhood-family field. We will cover the field’s history, most important contributors, and its areas of focus. We will also review the guiding principles of early childhood practice. What does it mean to be an early childhood-family practitioner and how do we differ from other professionals? Next we will address the influential theories that have guided our understanding and practice, including the transactional developmental model, risk & resilience, and models for working with multi-risk families. We end with a review of relationship-based work and reflective practice-ideas and practices focused on the self-development of the practitioner.
Workshop 2
Introduction to Early Childhood Mental Health Theory & Practice
Instructor: Elizabeth Bogado Briganti, PsyD
Early childhood mental health practice is informed by a diverse array of theories and many lines of research. Practice-relevant topics we will discuss include attachment theory and its treatment applications and brain development research and the effects of early trauma on child development and well-being. We will also review the disorders of infancy and early childhood and the diagnostic classification system particular to this age group. Finally, we will discuss the treatment of mental disorder and early childhood mental health's tradition of dyadic treatment.
SPRING TERM 2012
Workshop 3
Early Childhood Assessment
Instructor: Judith Silver, PhD
Early childhood evaluation is both an art and a science. It involves evidence-supported measures in conjunction with observation of play and social interactions. Participants will be introduced to early childhood assessment best practices and will learn how to support development through regular screening and observation. We will also review the diagnostic classification system developed specifically for young children.
Workshop 4
Dyadic Treatment: Supporting Parent-Young Child Interactions
Instructor: Chiara Nuzzo, PhD
Parent-young child dyadic intervention is the process of supporting caregiving relationships to further a young child's development and well-being. During this workshop we will learn about the research base for dyadic treatment, review the fundamental beliefs underlying early childhood treatment, and identify the key aspects of adult-young child interactions that promote wellness and development. The afternoon will be devoted to intensive, hands-on practice with a method for observing and coaching interactions between a parent and their infant, toddler and preschool-aged child.
Workshop 5
Introduction to DC: 0-3R
Developmentally Based Diagnosis of the Mental Health and Developmental Disorders in Infancy and Early Childhood
Presenter - Molly Romer Witten, PhD
Program Format and Benefits
- Completion in 12-24 months
- Begins in September of each year
- Completion of 5 Core Knowledge Workshops (30 CE credits total)
- Participation in Group Learning, Mentorship, Networking and Program Gathering components of program (details below)
- Faculty are experts in early childhood mental health currently practicing in the field
- Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate of Completion
Group Learning:
- Seminars:Five full-day continuing education workshops (6 CE credits per workshop) will provide an introduction to the field of early childhood mental health and content in both the theory and practice of the field.
Reading Group: A reading/discussion group held over the course of the program will incorporate various texts and articles for a comprehensive review of the theory and research that informs our practice. Six continuing education credits can be earned for this component.
- Case Discussion Group: Program participants will use the book, Case Studies in Infant Mental Health, for reflection and discussion of professional practice. Six continuing education credits can be earned for this component.
Mentorship: Each certificate program participant is matched with a mentor actively practicing, teaching, leading, or doing research in the field. The mentor will support the participant’s application of new knowledge and skills to their current work.
Networking: Program enrollees will be introduced to the variety of professionals working in the early childhood-family field in the greater Philadelphia area through attendance at the Infant Mental Health Breakfast Network Meeting convened by DVG/WAIMH. Meetings include speakers, case presentations, and topical discussion groups.
Program Gatherings: Certificate program participants will come together, along with workshop presenters and mentors, at three meetings held at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the program. Along with networking, program participants will develop professional development goals and share and track their progress over the duration of the program.
Objectives
Participation in the Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate Program will enable participants to:
Gain an introduction to the field of early childhood mental health and infant-family practice.
Build one’s knowledge of the practice-relevant content and theory of the field.
Gain an introduction to early childhood screening & assessment best practices.
Build one's knowledge of early childhood treatments and services, including parent-child dyadic intervention.
Engage in group reflective practice experiences.
Obtain guidance in applying new learnings to current or future practice.
Immerse themselves in a community of early childhood mental health providers.
Enrollment
To enroll in the Early Childhood Mental Health certificate program please complete the Certificate Program participant form and mail or fax it into Blaine Wilson at:
The Post-Graduate Center
Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology
Widener University
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013
Tel: 610.499.1083 | Fax: 610.499.4625
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