HeartSpace Infant and Parent Specialist Consultation 2.03

'HEARTSPACE'

Specialising in Infant and Parent Connections

Majella Claire Devlin, B.A. (Melb), B.S.W. (Melb), Grad Dip Infant and Parent Mental Health Science (Melb)

Specialist in infant, child and parent relationships in early life.

I am a qualified Infant and Parent mental health clinician with 18 years experience in infant, child and adolescent mental health and family relationships, beginning with training in the Royal Children's hospital Infant Mental Health and Neonatal Units.

I have worked in therapeutic counselling during pregnancy, and with infants and parents where there are complications arising from premature birth, medical conditions, anxiety, depression and emotional issues.

I have supported families during bereavement, grief and loss.

I have been privileged to work with a diverse cultural clientele and have a keen interest and sensitivity to cultural traditions around pregnancy, birth and parenting.

I have coordinated groups focussing on enhancing attachment relationships, worked in high risk infant programs developing the skills and relationships between parents and infants and have worked with the Day Stay infant sleep settling clinic here in Ballarat, supporting parents in facilitating more confidence and contentment around sleep settling routines.

I have worked as a therapeutic specialist working with trauma, loss and attachment, therapeutic counselling with family relationships.
I have also worked extensively in infant, child and adolescent mental health practice with a focus on psychodynamic therapeutic treatment and creative, holistic interventions.

I have presented to hospitals, universities, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Innovations Forum and to the 2008 Australian Association for Infant Mental Health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Conference on the subject of infant mental health, wellbeing, difficulties (feeding) and attachment relationships.

I provide in home consultations to the Ballarat and surrounding regions, with Skype available where further distances are involved.

I will work with you and your baby to identify and explore tensions and worries in order to help understand these feelings and how they might get in the way of contentment ease and joy within the relationship.

I will support you and your baby to understand and accept difficult feelings and challenges and incorporate these into the overall experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

The goal I wish to help parents and infants achieve is to experience relief from tensions and integrate difficult emotions to enjoy a greater sense of joy and contentment; and to reach an enhanced and fulfilling level of understanding and stronger connections.

I charge a flat rate fee for private consultations however families experiencing financial hardship are welcomed to discuss this with me.

I believe that relationships between infants and parents are the foundation of good health, happiness and resilience throughout the whole life span.

I know that that each and every parent and child can achieve a strong, contented and mutually understanding relationship together, especially with a little bit of nurturing and support.