Infant Mental Health is an early approach to mental health care, focusing on supporting both the child and the parents/caregivers. At Denver Health, the Infant Mental Health program begins even before birth, with an Infant Mental Health specialist joining the pregnant person’s care team. Infant Mental Health specialists are available in all pediatric and family medicine clinics at Denver Health.
What is an Infant Mental Health Specialist?
An Infant Mental Health specialist is a psychologist, licensed professional counselor, or licensed social worker with additional training in working with infants, young children and their parents/caregivers.
Healthy Steps
Healthy Steps is a program for children from birth to age three that incorporates an Infant Mental Health specialist into every well-child check. At a child’s medical appointments, an Infant Mental Health specialist will consult with the primary care provider about mind and body health. The Infant Mental Health specialist is on call to the providers and may stop in the exam room during the appointment. They can attend an unlimited number of medical visits.
Outside of the medical visit, Infant Mental Health specialists provide brief assessments and short-term treatment. Appointments last 20-30 minutes. Up to six treatments or assessment appointments are available per year.
Schedule a Visit with Infant Mental Health
To schedule a visit with Infant Mental Health, ask your doctor to speak with the behavioral health consultant during your visit OR ask the front desk at your Family Health Center or clinic to make an appointment with a behavioral health consultant.
Our Services
Infant Mental Health specialists would be happy to help with any of the following common concerns:
- Adjustment to major life changes (new baby, sibling jealousy, starting school, etc.)
- Anxiety
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Bed wetting
- Behavior concerns
- Bonding and attachment
- Challenging behaviors
- Child care and school concerns
- Depression
- Developmental concerns
- Grief related to death of a child, miscarriage and infertility
- Parenting support
- Perinatal and postpartum concerns
- Pill swallowing
- Planning for pregnancy and parenting
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Relationship concerns
- Trauma
- Traumatic birth experiences
- Vaccine support
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are ever in urgent need of support, please contact 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room for help.
Depending on your medical coverage, there may be co-pays for our appointments. Please ask the front desk in your clinic for more details.
No, Infant Mental Health specialists do not prescribe medication. They can consult with your primary care provider and sometimes with a consulting psychiatrist about medication options to help with sleep, mood, stress and other concerns.
An Infant Mental Health specialist's brief therapy model may not be appropriate for you or your child in all cases. Longer term, traditional therapy may also be useful for infant mental health. Part of the Infant Mental Health specialist's role may be to help connect you with therapy or other resources in the community that work with your schedule and medical coverage.
