PERINATAL & INFANT
MENTAL HEALTH
A 2 day introduction to using a relationshipbased approach to perinatal mood disorders.
(with optional 3rd day of training in clinical application)
DAY 1
9:00 – 10:30 Definitions; key theorists and concepts;
Current models of early development and intervention;
Australian research – risk factors and guidelines;
Consequences of perinatal mood disturbance; Framework
for assessment, diagnoses, formulation and treatment.
DAY 2
9:00 – 10:30 Attachment theory, patterns and research.
Define attachment; Outline infant attachment patterns; Outline
adult attachment styles; Intergenerational transmission of
attachment and mentalization; Assessment of postpartum
attachment.
10:45 – 12:45 Assessment during phases: preconception & conception, pregnancy, labour & birth, early
postpartum to present day; Mentalization and parental
reflective function.
10:45 – 12:15 Therapeutic mother-infant interventions
Therapeutic frame; Ports of Entry; Building Parental Reflective
Function; Infant-Parent Psychotherapy; Interaction Guidance;
Infant Massage Therapy
1:00 – 2:30 Vulnerabilities and capacities of infants; infant
communication; impact of adversity on development; infant’s
subjective experience.
1:00 – 2:30 Structured mother-infant intervention
programs. Describe two parent-infant interventions: ‘Watch,
Wait & Wonder’ and ‘Circle of Security’ programs; Outline
theoretical underpinnings, techniques and processes involved
in each; video clips; Brief case study
2:45 – 4:15 Fathers and the couple relationship.
Becoming a father; Father’s role; Paternal attachment;
Paternal mood disturbance; couple relationship
2:45 – 4:15 Components of mother-infant interaction to
observe and assess; Global Assessment Scale; Video
clips of interaction; Maternal psychopathology and
differences in interaction; Affect regulation.
4:15 - 4:30 Reading and resource recommendations.
Brief overview of recommended texts, organisations and
websites for further professional development.
4:15 – 4:30 Evaluation and closing.
Dr Bronwyn Leigh is a clinical and health psychologist and Director of Perinatal Psychology, a private practice
specialising in psychological services to parents, infants, couples and families during the perinatal period. The
Centre for Mindful and Reflective Parenting is the parent education arm of Perinatal Psychology. Providing
group parenting programs that strengthen relationship capacities and facilitate joyful and confident parenting is
the primary aim of the Centre. Bronwyn has a particular interest in integrating mindfulness, mentalization and
infant mental health principles and has developed the ‘Mindfully Parenting Your Baby’ group program. She has
contributed to research in the areas of maternal mood, prematurity and early parenting difficulties, and has been a national
trainer in perinatal loss counselling. Bronwyn facilitates training workshops nationally in perinatal and infant mental health and is
the founding member and national convener of the Australian Psychological Society’s Perinatal and Infant Psychology Interest
Group (PIPIG). She is experienced in the provision of clinical supervision, training and consultancy and has published in
academic journals, presented at conferences and provided media interviews. Bronwyn co- authored Towards Parenthood:
Preparing for the Changes and Challenges of a New Baby (ACER Press, 2009) an evidence-based self-help guidebook for
parents during pregnancy and in the first year after having a baby.
MELBOURNE: 12th & 13th June 2015 MANTRA ON RUSSELL 222 Russell Street Melbourne.
ACA endorsed
AASW endorsed
The APS advise that APS Members may accrue Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours by
participating in activities that they determine to be relevant to their specific professional approaches and
professional development goals. CPD activities do not need to be endorsed by the APS.
Perinatal and infant mental health is a specialised
area of practice focusing on the health and
development of parents and infants. The perinatal
period is a vulnerable time for parent-infant and
couple relationships. It is the time of highest risk for
a woman to develop, or have a reoccurrence of, a
mental health condition. Where maternal mood
disturbance is present, working clinically with only
maternal symptomatology is insufficient to address
issues within the mother-infant relationship. By
contrast, working with the mother-infant relationship
can help both maternal symptoms and relationship
difficulties.
Recent Australian clinical practice
guidelines state that assessment of mother-infant
interaction should be an integral part of postnatal
care (Beyondblue, 2011), yet many health
professionals treating postnatal mood disturbance
intervene only with the mother and do not include
the infant in assessment or treatment.
This workshop will provide an overview of
assessment, formulation and treatment in both the
antenatal and postnatal phases incorporating the
mother, father, infant and their relationships.
Theories of development, attachment, interaction,
object-relations, behaviour and cognition will be
incorporated. Multifactorial and dynamic formulation
that includes all members of the family and the
quality of their relationships is a feature of the
workshop.
Participants can expect an introduction to
theoretical models and practical applications in
working therapeutically with parents, infants and the
parent-infant relationship.
Learning objectives will be achieved through direct
teaching, use of clinical examples, video footage,
personal reflection and small group discussion.
Recommendations for texts, organisations and
websites for further professional development will
be provided so participants can continue their
journey beyond the workshop.The optional followon 1-day workshop will provide an opportunity for
further exploration in the clinical application of ideas
presented, with a focus on the parent-infant
relationship and attachment themes. In depth case
studies will be used as a basis to discuss and
devise provisional formulations and treatment
plans.
By the conclusion of this seminar participants will
be able to:
1. Assess and formulate maternal presenting
issues, infant presenting issues and the
mother-infant relationship.
2. Assess and formulate father and couple
presenting issues.
3. Outline attachment theory, patterns and
interventions
4. Identify the importance of mentalization in
the development of affect regulation and
attachment status.
5. Describe and apply in clinical practice
principles from parent-infant interventions at
an introductory level.
“Working with families during the perinatal period offers unique therapeutic
opportunities. For parents, it is a time of developmental crisis when motivation is high
to improve functioning and relationships. For infants, we have an opportunity to
positively influence the trajectory of their social, emotional and relational
development.”
Dr Bronwyn Leigh
How will you benefit from attending this
seminar?
 Be introduced to a relational paradigm in working
therapeutically with a perinatal population.
 Broaden your skill in treating depression and
anxiety, while holding the baby and partner in mind.
 Expand your knowledge in infant mental health,
adult and infant attachment patterns and explore
ways of intervening that promotes secure relating.
Register now at www.pdpseminars.com.au
Standard: $596
Early bird: $456 (ends 30 days prior to event)
Student/New Graduate: HALF PRICE (apply).
This seminar provides 12 hours for CPD points.
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea included.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Amex, PayPal,
EFT and Cheque. .
This workshop is designed for health professionals including clinicians, therapists, counsellors,
psychologists, social workers, maternal and child health nurses either currently working with, or who
have a desire to work with, families during the perinatal period. In particular, this workshop is ideal for
those who would like to include the infant and mother-infant relationship in the treatment of maternal
mood disturbance.
Training and experience in mental health is assumed. Assumed knowledge: experienced in general
assessment, diagnosis, formulation and treatment planning of mental health conditions.