top of page

Infant Behavioral Mental Health

Infants and Young Children are Amazing People!
babybucket11.jpg

Babies and small children are aware. They think and feel in their own special ways. They learn by absorbing everything in their environment including us - the adults! Relationships are central to their lives. They cannot survive without healthy relationships! We provide infants and young children with assurance about where they are in space as we celebrate and affirm the importance of their being with us. They need moments of our undivided attention when we focus together not only on their physical and mental or educational needs, but also on their emotional and spiritual needs. Infants and young children learn about emotions and spiritual qualities, such as love and compassion, and how to process difficult emotions such as anxiety and anger from us. Early childhood - from pregnancy through the first 5 years of life - is a remarkable and powerful period of transition and growth for infants, toddlers, young children, and parents/caregivers alike. Sometimes families need support, healing, and healthcare that specifically addresses emotional, spiritual and mental health needs of their infant or young child.

95E9CAE3-B041-47F8-A475-245690805443.jpeg

Heading 1

I

Examples of When to Contact Us For Yourself and Your Infant or Young Child

​

  • Teacher or Prescriber are Suggesting Psychotropic Medications (Contact Us Today!)

  • Ongoing Eating or Sleeping Problems

  • Early signs of giftedness such as extensive language development

  • Child does not show emotion

  • Adoption Experience

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Divorce or Loss of Parent or Significant Caregiver

  • Challenging Health Care Decisions

  • Separation from Parent or Significant Caregiver (for example -  Military Service)

  • Angry or Destructive Behavior (Such as destroying toys)

  • Child won’t accept comforting 

  • Sudden behavior change

  • Does not self-soothe or adapt easily

  • Does not turn to a known caregiver for comfort

  • Rejects being held, touched or playing with others

  • Fearful, Guarded, or Withdrawn

  • Death of Baby (Parent/Caregivers and Siblings)

  • Absence of communication or language in pre-school Child

  • Unusual / Prolonged sadness (Parent/Caregiver or Baby)

  • Excessive Activity or Agitation (Is my infant's behavior ADD or ADHD?)

  • Loss of earlier skills (ex. Toileting and language)

  • Premature Baby and Early Hospitalization

​

For what to expect from an appointment please CLICK HERE 

 

Insurance:  Please see what to expect page.

 

​

An infant-parent psychotherapist also known as a child-parent counselor (CPC) is a health professional who provides support and care for infants and young children ages 0-5 and their parents and primary caregivers. The focus of the CPC is first and foremost the child - their healthy attachment and development (body-mind-emotions-spirit). Taking the perspective of an infant or young child may seem like a simple task at first. Try it! Spend a day pretending to view the world through the senses of an infant or young child. You will be amazed how many day-to-day decisions and actions are made based upon an adult view of the world. The CPC helps families to establish patterns of mental and emotional health at the earliest moments in the life of a new child. Infant and child behavioral health support is a fundamental part of holistic, preventive health care. 
 

Dr. Martha Libster’s solution-focused, integrative approach to behavioral health care with infants and young children and their parents and caregivers begins with a very important premise: Parents Really Love Their Children! 

​

What causes infants, children, parents, and caregivers so much concern is the challenges associated with being able to demonstrate the love they feel in a way that fully communicates the message to the baby or young child. Babies can also find it difficult to communicate their needs in a way that parents and caregivers understand. Communication is the primary skill that is worked on in child-parent counseling. Although infants do not talk, they do communicate nonverbally and through vocalizations. They actually understand much and are very wise! 

Dr. Martha helps you and your infant/child to communicate better. She will listen to your concerns, observe and interact with your child at play, and provide you with an assessment of the health and behavioral patterns contributing to your child's growth and identified concerns. 

 

She uses many techniques to help you to understand your child better and find solutions to any concerns you have. These techniques include counseling, mindfulness stress-reduction tips, non-pharmacological gentle remedies, communication with your baby through touch/massage, play, dance-movement, and support groups.

Dr. Martha also provides consultation services for attorneys and other professionals involved in custody and other legal matters involving decisions about the well being of an infant or young child.

bottom of page