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For under fives

The Early Years & Prevention department is a multi-disciplinary team of mental health professionals.

With a background in psychoanalytic child psychotherapy, counselling, clinical and educational psychology the Early Years & Prevention department specialises in parent-infant psychotherapy, video-based treatments, therapy for parents and toddlers (in groups and individually), as well as other Mentalization-based approaches. We are also developing and delivering specialised support for fathers in the Perinatal period.

Early Years in Mind is a free online network for early years practitioners. The network provides easy-to-read and easy-to-use guidance on supporting the mental health of babies, young children and their families. The network was developed by our mental health experts and shares practical and clinical expertise and advice on using attachment-informed practice. Read more about Early Years in Mind

Join our free Early Years in Mind learning network today.

  • Therapeutic support for under-fives and their parent/carer(s)

    We support families with the challenges of parenting children under five via therapeutic assessment and treatment.

  • Our projects supporting under fives

    We provide focused support to families with children aged 0-5 and help early years practitioners embed mental health support for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers in universal services...

  • Working with families facing challenges

    Advice and guidance for early years practitioners on working with and supporting parents and carers of under fives who may have experienced mental health difficulties or challenges thems...

  • Common difficulties in the early years

    Exploring a range of difficulties children can experience.

  • For under fives

    We have a selection of resources for early years wellbeing including working with babies & young children on digital platforms, coronavirus support, and a 'Bonding with baby' podcast.

  • Expert advice and guidance videos for nursery staff

    This series of films, featuring some of Anna Freud's child mental health experts, aim to provide help and guidance to nursery staff on how to manage a range of different issues.

  • Under fives research

    The Early Years department hosts a range of research projects, from small scale MSc projects to large scale nationally funded trials.

  • parents-playing-with-children

    Under fives training and events

    The Early Years and Prevention programme sits within our Services at Anna Freud.

  • Services - Who we are

    Welcome to the Clinical Leadership Team, which is comprised of leaders united by their shared commitment to improve outcomes for babies, children, young people and families.