THE HARRIS INSTITUTE
Harris Infant Mental Health Certification
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health: A Dynamic, Rapidly Growing Field
Several decades of research have clearly demonstrated the importance of a child’s earliest years. Most importantly, the relationships formed with parents and caregivers during this time establish the foundation for all future development – intellectual, social, emotional, physical and behavioral.
Research has also shown that behavioral and mental health problems can emerge in infants, toddlers and preschoolers. If left undiagnosed and untreated, resulting problems can include school failure, child abuse, delinquency and mental illness.
The increased recognition of young children’s critical and unique needs has revealed a severe shortage of professionals knowledgeable in this field. As one of a handful of prestigious Harris programs in the country, and the only one in the Southwest, the Harris Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute seeks to fill this knowledge gap through two state-of-the-art training programs.
This 1-year and 2-year hybrid, cohort-based program is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of early childhood mental health and make a lasting impact in their field and communities. Graduates receive a certificate in either Infant and Family Studies or Infant and Family Clinical Practice.
The hybrid format includes a full-day commitment on the third Friday of every month. The program begins with an in-person Fall Orientation scheduled for August 14-15. Monthly sessions are held virtually, with two additional in-person sessions. Year one runs from August to May, and year two continues from August to May of the following year.
- Infant/Family Studies Certificate (One Year Program)
- Infant/Family Clinical Practice Certificate (Two Year Program)