“Infant mental health” refers to how well a child develops socially and emotionally from birth to age three”.
Crossroads is Ottawa’s leader in infant and early mental health. We know that prenatal, infant, and early childhood experiences shape the architecture of the brain and lay the foundation for positive mental health across the lifespan. We also know that outcomes improve when problems are identified and treated early on.
Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre provides a range of services for infants and children from birth to 6 years old. Child and youth workers, early childhood educators, and child and family therapists provide assessment and treatment to address disruptions in social emotional development. In doing so, children are better able to experience, manage and express emotions, develop healthy and satisfying relationships, actively explore their environment, and learn. Infant and early childhood mental health programs focus on the attachment between the child and their parents/caregivers and include:
- Single session counselling at our Child & Family Clinic or on counsellingconnect.org
- In-home treatment
- Child and family therapy
- Circle of Security parent skill training groups
