Description
Professionals who work with young children are in a unique position to provide support during this critical developmental period to foster positive outcomes throughout an individual’s lifespan. In order to do this, every professional needs a strong understanding of infant mental health, what it is, how it develops, how it is influenced and implications for a child’s development when mental health is vulnerable in the early years.
“Mitigating the Impact of Early Mental Health Trauma” will provide information for professionals working with infants and families to promote optimal health. Participants will explore issues relevant to infant mental health including: infant maltreatment, genetics and epigenetics, maternal depression, attachment and attachment disorders, temperament, adverse childhood experiences.
This session will also address factors that can create as well as mitigate early trauma experience and promote resilience to address future trauma. Examine the role and potential experiences in this stage of development which may explain future trauma responses and how these early experiences can be pursued in later trauma treatment.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe early childhood developmental in relation to cognitive, physical, social, and emotional outcomes across the lifespan.
- Consider how this critical period of development has impacts on family functioning.
- Describe the importance of addressing traumatic events that take place during the early years in a systemic and validating manner.
- Identify and promote protective factors in the early years that may shield a person from future trauma.
- Explore interventions appropriate to different life stages (early childhood, adolescence or adulthood) to address past traumatic events.
Who Should Attend
“Mitigating the Impact of Early Mental Health Trauma” is recommended for professionals who in the area related to children’s mental health.
Course Dates & Format
There are no scheduled dates for this course at this time, however in-service is available.
This is a 6-hour training. This course consists of two 3-hour interactive virtual sessions using Zoom.
Instructor: Bill Helmeczi, RPO, RSW
Bill Helmeczi RPO, RSW is the CEO of a Community Addictions and Mental Health Agency. Formerly he was the Director of Mental Health for an Infant, Child, and Youth Mental Health Agency. He was also Systems’ planner for Children’s Mental Health in the Region. He has been the Director of Research and Training Institute which has supported over a dozen research projects. The formalized Intern program has trained over 100 graduate (Masters and Doctoral level students). He developed a training manual for the treatment of Adolescents who sexually Offend (2002) and has spoken internationally on the subject. His doctoral dissertation was focused on health behaviour in an at-risk population. In addition, since 2000 have been teaching at Brock University in the Departments of Psychology and Child and Youth Studies.
Training Fee
Group Registration: Save 20% off individual fees with a group registration of 4 or more participants. Download the group registration form HERE.
Continuing Education Information
Licensing boards and professional organizations will grant Continuing Education credits for attendance at their discretion when participants submit the course outline and certificate.
In-Service
This is available as an in-person or virtual in-service training and customized to suit your needs.
