The Infant Mental Health Podcast

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In this episode, we explore what it means to move beyond a solely trauma-informed lens and begin focusing on what’s possible.

While trauma-informed care is essential, we discuss the importance of not allowing trauma to become the defining narrative. People are more than what has happened to them. Each person holds the capacity for growth, connection, and a life full of meaning.

Together, we reflect on how we can hold both truths: honoring past experiences while also keeping our eyes on who someone is becoming. What does it look like to support not just healing—but hope, identity, and forward movement?

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In this episode, Natalie and I sit down with Carly Schrimpl, LCSW, RPT, owner of Power Within Child Therapists in Provo, Utah, to explore her journey into infant mental health, her work in trauma, and how co-regulation is at the center of her work with children and families. 

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In this episode, Natalie and I talk with Jenny Baldwin and Holly Gursslin Beseda  from the Texas Institute for Mental Health at The University of Texas at Austin about their work on an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) project here in Texas. Our guests are incredibly knowledgeable and bring the vision and practical expertise needed to build something meaningful where it didn’t previously exist. We hope you enjoy this conversation and learn as much from Jenny and Holly as we did.   As a bonus, their hope is infectious—and it added something meaningful to my own bucket, which was running a little low.  

Resources Mentioned 

TX IECMHC Project & Program Manual:
https://www.tiemh.org/projects/preschool-development-grant-birth-through-5/
 

TX IECMHC Training Manual (including competencies and reflective supervision):
https://www.tiemh.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TIEMH-PDG-IECMHC-Training-Manual-FULL.pdf
 

TX IECMHC Outcomes Brochure:
https://www.tiemh.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/TIEMH-IECMHC-Brochure_2025-PRINT.pdf 

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In this episode, Natalie and I dig into the article Mattering in Early Childhood: Building a Strong Foundation for Life and reflect on what it really means to feel like you matter—starting in infancy and continuing throughout our lives. We talk about being seen, valued, and knowing that who you are (and what you bring) counts, both in our work and in our relationships. It’s an honest, relational conversation about why mattering isn’t an “extra,” it’s foundational… and yes, that includes you too.

Reference:
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. Mattering in Early Childhood: Building a Strong Foundation for Life.

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Our conversation with Jess touches on navigating change, embracing growth, and maintaining connection with ourselves while staying committed to the families we support. Whether you’re a professional in the field or someone curious about the complexities of early relationships, this episode offers reflection, insight, and encouragement for the evolving journey of life and work in IMH. 

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Natalie and I spend most of our time working directly with providers and students through reflective consultation and training, so it was a refreshing shift to step back and talk with Christy Serrano about the broader policy landscape. Our conversation offered a wider lens on how policy shapes infant mental health. It was a great reminder that while our work often happens in the moment, it’s deeply connected to the systems and decisions happening around us.

Here is the paper Christy mentioned:

 **Miller, A. L., Stein, S. F., Sokol, R., Varisco, R., Trout, P., Julian, M. M., Ribaudo, J., Kay, J., Pilkauskas, N. V., Gardner-Neblett, N., Herrenkohl, T. I., Zivin, K., Muzik, M., & Rosenblum, K. L. (2022). From zero to thrive: A model of cross-system and cross-sector relational health to promote early childhood development across the child-serving ecosystem. Infant Mental Health Journal, 43(4), 624–637. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21996

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We thought we wrapped it up last time… but there’s more to say!  After our Same Baby, New Name? episode, we kept thinking — and talking. So we’re back to revisit the ideas we didn’t quite finish, explore what still feels fuzzy, and reflect on how our understanding of Early Relational Health continues to grow. 

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In this episode, we’re diving into the buzz around Infant Mental Health and Early Relational Health — are they really different, or just two ways of talking about the same thing? We chat about where the language came from, why the shift is happening, and what it means for those of us working with babies and families — what we know, and what we don’t. Let’s talk about it.

And for those of you who know more (and we know that’s many of you!), reach out and teach us — we’d love to keep the conversation going.

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In this episode, Natalie and I dive into the unique experience of providing reflective supervision as a manager. We share our insights, challenges, and practical takeaways for anyone navigating this important role. 

We’d love to hear what you think! Drop us a note at [email protected]

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In this episode, Natalie and I dive into my experience participating in a fishbowl presentation at the Safe Babies Cross Site Conference. We unpack what it was like to be “in the bowl” and even create a little fishbowl of our own as we reflect together.