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Clinical Practice at the Edge of Care pp 79–102Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Attending to Infant Mental Health

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Abstract

This chapter considers how infant mental health issues can arise in edge-of-care contexts, why these should be prioritised and how they might best be addressed. Theoretical conceptualisations of how infants become “at risk” are discussed. A three-stage methodology for assessment is proposed, including the use of formal and informal assessment measures and consideration of engagement issues with families and professional systems. In addition, general considerations and specific options for effective intervention are described. An extended case study illustrates how infant mental health-focused practice can reduce risk and achieve positive outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. London, UK

    Abel Fagin

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  1. Abel Fagin
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. London, United Kingdom

    Laura Smith

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Fagin, A. (2016). Attending to Infant Mental Health. In: Smith, L. (eds) Clinical Practice at the Edge of Care. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43570-1_5

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