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The Parent Infant Project
The Anna Freud Centre model of parent infant psychotherapy effectively helps families when there are concerns that the parent’s feelings are impacting on their baby. The therapy puts the relationship between parent and baby at its centre, acknowledging the need to understand and to make sense of the impact that the infant has on the parent and vice-versa.
Certain conditions are known to place particular strains on the parent infant relationship – such as postnatal depression and other mental health issues, socio-economic stress, or domestic violence. The Parent Infant Project reaches out to families who may not ordinarily access services, and to practitioners who are seeking expert advice when working with babies and their parents or want help making a referral. The clinicians in the PIP service are sensitive to parents’ possible fears of being labelled, and of familial or cultural taboos.
Aims
- to support the parent in understanding their baby’s needs and responding sensitively to them
- to keep the baby actively engaged emotionally with his/her parent.
This twofold approach ensures that the baby’s development is protected.
Who we are
The Parent Infant Project is made up of a team of experienced child and adult psychotherapists and analysts, with specialist knowledge and skills in early intervention.
Who we help
The Parent Infant Project offers a range of interventions for parents and their babies. Individual projects target the particular needs of certain groups. Please see details for each of the projects:
Parent Infant services at the Anna Freud Centre
Outreach work at England's Lane Hostel
New Beginnings group programme for mothers and babies in prison
Parent infant psychotherapy in Children’s Centres
Individual parent infant psychotherapy at the Homerton Hospital NHS Trust Mother Baby Unit
The Parent Infant Project Court Assessment Service
Contact Us
For further information please contact Anna Kennett on +44 (0)20 7443 2253 or email anna.kennett@annafreud.org. Please note, Anna only works on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
This Project was made possible by DoH start-up funding and is currently reliant on donations, commissioning and fees.
