Infant Mental Health Promotion (IMP) presents:

• Dr. Jean Wittenberg, Head, Infant Psychiatry Program, Hospital for Sick Children
• Ms. Selena Dockery, Nurse in-Charge, Fort Hope/Eabametoong
• Ms. Susan Mendolia, High Risk Consultant, Toronto Public Health

Supporting Security is a 12-session preventive intervention for groups of parents/caregivers and babies to age one year, who may at risk for attachment difficulties. It focuses on findings from the scientific literature that are associated with secure vs. insecure and organized vs. disorganized attachment. The principles of Supporting Security are derived from an integration of findings from empirically supported interventions including psychodynamic psychotherapy, parent training, psychoeducation, CBT, group therapy, problem solving therapy, mindfulness meditation, and more. Principles of infant observation, reflective functioning, stress reduction and practical problem-solving approaches are central. Supporting Security was designed to be cross-culturally adaptable and has been used in a priority neighbourhood of Toronto, in northern Ontario on a First Nations reserve and in a number of sites with different populations in Israel.

This one-day workshop will provide participants with an overview of attachment theory and with interventions used to increase: Parents’ knowledge about attachment theory Parents’ knowledge about infant social, emotional and cognitive development. Parents’ ability to use infant observation, reflective function and problem solving techniques in fostering more secure attachment relationships with their young babies.

The groups have been run by community-based practitioners including public health nurses, family home visitors, & social workers, among others. Facilitator training involves from three to five days of intensive classes and 12 once-weekly supervision meetings over the course of running one series of group sessions.

• Registration Fees: $110 (IMP Members), $150 (Non-Members)
• For further information and registration details please contact: Donna Hill, IMP, Administrative Assistant
  (416) 813-7654 ×1082 Fax: (416) 813-2258 imp.mail@sickkids.ca
• Please register early (before March 9, 2009) to ensure enrollment.

Thank you!

Infant Mental Health Promotion (IMP) The Hospital for Sick Children