Requirements for Level III

infant mental health specialist
Level III

Requirements: 

Education:

Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Education (MEd), Doctorate in Education (EdD), Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) or other degree specific to one’s professional focus in infant mental health; university certificate program and/or course work in areas such as infant and toddler development, family-centered practice, cultural sensitivity, family relationships and dynamics, assessment and intervention, in accordance with MI-AIMH Training Guidelines and Endorsement Competencies.  Official transcript(s) required.

Applicants may ask to use intensive in-service training to fulfill some of the recommended coursework.

Training:

Minimum 30 clock hours of relationship-based education and training pertaining to the promotion of social-emotional development and/or the practice of infant mental health.  Applicants will include as many hours as necessary to document that competencies (as specified in Competency Guidelines) have been met.

Specialized Work Experience:

2 years, post-graduate, supervised work experiences providing culturally sensitive, relationship-focused, infant mental health service.   This specialized work experience must be with both the infant/toddler and his/her biological, foster, or adoptive parent[1] on behalf of the parent-infant relationship. Infant mental health services will include concrete assistance, advocacy, emotional support, developmental guidance, early relationship assessment, and parent-infant/young child relationship-based therapies and practices.  These therapies and practices may include but are not limited to parent-infant psychotherapy, interaction guidance, and child-parent psychotherapy.  These therapies and practices are intended to explore issues related to attachment, separation, trauma and unresolved losses as they affect the development, behavior and care of the infant/young child.

OR

1 year supervised graduate internship with direct service experience in providing culturally sensitive, relationship-based, infant mental health services and 1 year, post-graduate, supervised work experience as described above.

Reflective Supervision/Consultation:

Relationship-focused, reflective supervision/consultation with an approved supervisor/consultant, individually or in a group, while providing services to infants, toddlers and families. Minimum: 50 clock hours within a 1-year minimum and 2-year maximum timeframe.

Professional Reference Ratings:

Please note: At least one rating must come from someone endorsed at Level II, III, or IV.

Total of three professional reference ratings from:

 

1.      One rating from current program supervisor, teacher, trainer or consultant.

2.      One rating from person providing reflective supervision/consultation.

3.      Third rating may be from another supervisor, teacher, trainer or consultant; colleague; or supervisee (if candidate is a supervisor).

 

[1] Infant mental health services that meet Level III specialized work criteria are provided by professionals whose role includes intervention or treatment of the infant/toddler’s primary caregiving relationship, (i.e., biological, foster, or adoptive parent); these experiences are critical to the development of a specialization in infant mental health.  Infant Family Specialist, Level II is broader and includes practitioners whose work experiences come solely from programs that provide education/support/consultation to infant & early childhood care providers or whose intent is primarily to educate parents.

Requirements, continued:

Code of Ethics Statement & Endorsement Agreement

Signed

Documentation of Competencies:

 

1. Professional portfolio will document that competencies have been adequately met through course work, in-service training, and reflective supervision/consultation experiences.

 

2.   Successful completion of the MI-AIMH written examination.

Professional Membership:

Membership in MI-AIMH or another infant mental health association.

 

 

 

Continuing Endorsement Requirements:

Education and Training:

Minimum of 15 clock hours per year of relationship-based education and training, pertaining to the promotion of social-emotional development and/or the practice of infant mental health (e.g. regional training, related course work at colleges or universities, infant mental health conference attendance).  For those who earn endorsement at Level III and provide reflective supervision or consultation to others, at least 3 of the hours of specialized training must be about reflective supervision or consultation. 

Professional Membership:

Annual renewal of membership in MI-AIMH or another infant mental health association.

 

 

Effective for calendar year 2013 - Reflective Supervision:

 

MI-AIMH requires that all Endorsed professionals at Level II, III, and IV - Clinical receive a minimum of 12 hours  reflective supervision or consultation annually.  It is especially important for Endorsed professionals who provide reflective supervision or consultation to participate in reflective experiences, individual or group, while providing reflective supervision or consultation to others.

 

In order to renew the MI-AIMH Endorsement® annually, endorsed professionals will:

a) Maintain membership in MI-AIMh or another IMH association

b) Submit an E-form for Renewal that documents a minimum of 15 hours of specialized in-service training and (beginning for calendar year 2013) 12 hours of reflective supervision/consultation received.  

The E-form for Renewal covers the calendar year (Jan 1 - Dec 31) and is due no later than Jan 31 of the subsequent year.  To read more, go to http://www.mi-aimh.org/endorsement-policies