A Brief Walk through Infant Mental Health

This presentation provides depth and breadth into the intricacies of infant and early childhood mental health with a focus on Neurodevelopment and how those who work with children and families can support them in the best way possible for a healthy social-emotional trajectory. This presentation is best for those who would benefit from an introductory look at all of the topics that go into supporting infant and early childhood mental health.

Following this presentation participants will be able to:

• apply the concepts of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health to their various fields of study and work.
• identify 3 cues that infants may give to show distress
• label and identify areas of trauma and how they show up in a developing child.
• name and identify the brain pathways necessary for fight, flight freeze response.
• explain co-regulation and note its importance for building resilience.

Speaker Bio:

Erin Troup is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the owner of Sprout Center for Emotional Growth and Development, LLC a private practice in Pittsburgh, PA specializing in early childhood social emotional needs, particularly attachment, grief & loss, trauma and anxiety. The practice has over 20 gifted clinicians and specialists serving over 300 children per year. After leaving the Central Pennsylvania area to continue to pursue her passion for work with children and families; Erin earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and child development from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She attended Chatham University for her MS in counseling and earned her Infant Mental Health Certificate in Pennsylvania’s first Infant Mental Health cohort.

Erin has worked in the fields of Mental Health, Early Intervention and Behavioral Health service for over 20 years. She has presented on a variety of topics including mental health, grief and loss, social emotional and child development throughout the United States; but she calls Pittsburgh Pennsylvania home. In addition to clinical work, consultation and training, Erin provides clinical and reflective supervision to a variety of individuals and agencies who share the great passion of child and family work.

Erin is currently the board Treasurer for The Pennsylvania Association for Infant Mental Health, An Adjunct instructor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh (PITT), a member of the Pennsylvania State Advisory Council on Early Education and Care, and a member of The Association for Death Education and Counseling. Erin’s proudest Achievement by far is the title of “Fun Aunt” to upwards of 15 children who she has been fortunate to share time, space and growth with.