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"The families we serve… have intergenerational patterns of trauma, abuse, and neglect. The clinical experience in the IMH training program and the intensive reflective supervision during the training provided has been invaluable for being prepared to work with these families."

- CHRISTY KIMPO, PhD
Graduate Certificate Program
Class of 2005

Training Overview

Irving B. Harris Graduate Certificate Program In Infant Mental Health

The Irving B. Harris Graduate Certificate Program in Infant Mental Health is a seven-quarter, part-time, interdisciplinary graduate certificate program. The program welcomes enrollment of community professionals as well as advanced graduate students from a variety of training backgrounds, including nursing, education, medicine, occupational/physical therapy, post-partum support, psychology, social work, and speech and hearing sciences. Students must possess a graduate degree (or be in the process of obtaining one) to apply.

Trainees will develop a knowledge base in infant mental health through coursework as well as complete an intensive clinical/capstone training year in community-based direct service and consultation. In addition, students are required to complete an infant observation course in the community either prior to, or concurrently with, their certificate program training. The infant observation course can be taken through Family Services, COR Northwest Family Development Center or with Dana Blue, LICSW and Caron Harrang, LICSW(brochure here) (application available here).

During the second year clinical placement, students may chose to focus their training in one of two pathways:

• Promoting First Relationships Pathway. For graduate students and professionals from multiple disciplines who seek training in infant mental health consultation, reflective practice, and provision of relationship-based services to families. pfrprogram.org
• Infant-Parent Psychotherapy Pathway. For graduate students in mental health fields and licensed (or license eligible) mental health professionals from the community who plan to do intensive long-term therapeutic work and assessment with young children and their families.

This advanced training in infant mental health provides a foundation of knowledge and practical experience for clinical and consultation services in infant mental health. We anticipate this experience will enrich students’ current practice, help build specialty skills within their disciplines, and expand professional networks.

We accept cohorts every other academic year, starting with our first cohort in the fall of 2009.  Space permitting, students may also apply to take first year courses a la carte as a graduate non-matriculated student.

For more information on our application process

For more information about cost of the program

For our program brochure

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