Early Childhood Mental Health

Mental Health Consultation is a preventative-based approach focused on fostering the social emotional development of young children from birth to age 5 at early childhood education programs to promote long-term emotional health and wellness. Mental Health Consultants are highly specialized in child development, evidence-based classroom practices, and the effects of stress and trauma. The agency’s therapists and staff develop relationships with caregivers at early childhood education programs to support building the adult’s capacity and skills to strengthen the healthy social and emotional development of all children at the center – early and before formalized intervention is needed. Mental Health Consultants and staff support the development of nurturing and responsive relationships to decrease incidents of challenging behaviors, reduce preschool suspensions/expulsions and support the need for a program-wide effort in using culturally-responsive practices and addressing implicit bias.