Perinatal parent-infant art therapy: from pregnancy to two years old
This course introduces art therapy practice within perinatal parent-infant mental health. Adult mental health throughout the perinatal period and infant personality development are described in a theoretical context. The course explores perinatal trauma, including sub-fertility, baby loss and how mental health illness can impact parents and the parent-infant relationship. Treatment planning, safeguarding risk and infant observation using video analysis are demonstrated using clinical material.
Perinatal parent-infant art therapy: from pregnancy to two years old
This course introduces art therapy practice within perinatal parent-infant mental health. Adult mental health throughout the perinatal period and infant personality development are described in a theoretical context. The course explores perinatal trauma, including sub-fertility, baby loss and how mental health illness can impact parents and the parent-infant relationship. Treatment planning, safeguarding risk and infant observation using video analysis are demonstrated using clinical material.
Open to all suitably qualified and trainee professionals.
This course introduces a dynamic intergenerational mode of art therapy that focuses on the complexities of relationships and deep-rooted traumas. The perinatal period is a time when adults’ sensitivity to their own childhood memories of being parented are heightened. The non-verbal nature of art therapy can help adults gain a deeper understanding of themselves whilst making links to current relationships. Intergenerational repair during the perinatal period can achieve positive psychological change that can affect a baby’s neurological and personality development.
Pandemic lockdowns have curtailed sensory interventions like art therapy, yet touch is central in perinatal trauma, baby loss and parent-infant work. This course considers the effectiveness of online delivery and physical proximity in the community therapy room. Infant observation, formulation, treatment planning, safeguarding risk and suitable measures to evidence practice are also discussed.
A model of perinatal parent-infant art therapy is introduced. This highlights the dynamic relationships formed between the parent and infant mind, the therapist’s mind and the objective position of the artwork made. A description is given of how video analysis is shared in supervision and sensitively reviewed with parents to help facilitate bi-directional creativity. Parental reflective function (mentalization) is also discussed.
Participants may find it useful to have artmaking materials such as clay, paper, and ink available as opportunities will be given to reflect on course content using art practice.
On completing this course, you will have:
1. Gained a deeper theoretical understanding of the perinatal period, perinatal trauma, parent mental health and infant personality development
2. Learnt how a transgenerational model of perinatal parent-infant art therapy can be applied to clinical work
3. Learnt how the perinatal period offers a small window of time to: (a) help halt transmissions of deep-rooted trauma; (b) maximise parent-infant interaction to positively affect personality development; (c) value the use of video and artmaking in this field
Tutor: Diane Bruce
Thank you to the excellent trainers.
Frequently asked questions
Bookings for our online Introduction, Foundation, ARTiculate, CPD and Masterclass courses close one week before the start date, at 10.00am.
Joining instructions and materials will be available in your Memberzone, under bookings, once bookings have closed. A reminder email will be sent out to delegates one week before the course.
It is the attendees’ responsibility to check they have access to the joining instructions before the course. Contacting the office on the day or evening before the start date will not always be responded to prior to the course starting.
Employer funded bookings are available for our online Introduction, Foundation, ARTiculate, CPD and Masterclass courses.
These bookings can be made on our website by paying by card at no extra cost. The booking should be made on the delegate’s account as we will need their contact details for the course. If they don’t have an account they can create one for free here. The employer will be required to provide their credit/debit card details to complete the payment. Please also tick the employer funded option at checkout.
If your employer wants to pay by invoice, you will need to complete our Invoice Details Request – Course Booking Form, and return it to us along with a PO number. Please note, we cannot accept the form without a PO number. Please note, there is an additional £20 admin fee for bookings via invoice.
If you need further assistance, please contact us at events@baat.org.
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