Overview
Infant and early mental health is complex and requires the expertise and experiences of many to determine effective and efficient ways of supporting young children and their families. The topics will vary, but the goals are the same: lean on the collective wisdom and perspectives of others to support optimal outcomes for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families.
Practitioners will hear directly from topic experts who will:
- Share emerging science, research and best practices
- Support a reflective approach to strengthen practice
- Provide resources and tools that can be used to enhance practice
- Provide skill-building opportunities and experiences
- Present their own experiences embedding the science, research and best practices to support the healthy growth and development of infants, young children and their families
In Person | Webinar Session 1:The Importance of Supporting Social-Emotional Development in Chronic/Severe Medical ConditionsDate: Nov 23, 2023 Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Event Room 2, PGCRL Building, 686 Bay St., Toronto, ON Speaker: Robert Meeder Cost: $200 CAD | 
In Person | Webinar Session 2: Do you see what I see? Identifying and intervening in the caregiver/infant attachment relationship to promote security and mitigate developmental traumaDate: Dec 15, 2023 Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Location: Event Room 1, PGCRL Building, 686 Bay St., Toronto, ON Speaker: Mary Rella Cost: $200 CAD |
 Robert Meeder, MSc, MD, FRCPC(Pediatrics)Session 1:The Importance of Supporting Social-Emotional Development in Chronic/Severe Medical Conditions Dr Rob Meeder is a pediatrician with extensive experience both in general pediatrics and mental health. Having started as a general pediatrician who worked in full-scope pediatrics in an acute-care hospital setting for many years he then shifted his focus to mental health and behavioural medicine in a community based setting. He is currently Medical Director (Family, Child and Youth Mental Health) at Waypoint Centre For Mental Health Care where he conducts clinical work in collaboration with local mental health agencies. Dr Meeder completed his medical education at McMaster University and Pediatrics residency at Western before moving to Orillia where he resides with Rose and 4 teenage children. He is currently completing his Fellowship in Early Relational Health at the University of Massachussets and is co-host of the Smart Family Podcast. |
Mary Rella, B.A.,Dip.C.S.
Session 2: Do you see what I see? Identifying and intervening in the caregiver/infant attachment relationship to promote security and mitigate developmental trauma
Mary Rella is a Registered Psychotherapist and has been involved in developing, leading, supporting and managing a range of services for vulnerable infants, children, youth, young adults and their families for over 30 years. She has been a member of the Infant and Early Mental Health Promotion through the Sick Children’s Hospital for over 10 years. Mary maintains a private clinical practice and does training and consulting throughout the province with specialized expertise in trauma and attachment.
Contact Us
For questions regarding registration and technical difficulties, please email iemhp.learning@sickkids.ca.
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