An infant mental health specialist (IMHS) is a health professional who specializes in the support and care of infants (children ages 0-3) and their parents and primary caregivers. The focus of the IMHS is an infant's healthy social and emotional development.  Relationship is the “law” of an infant’s being and infants cannot survive without healthy relationships! That is why the IMHS helps families to establish patterns of mental and emotional health at the earliest moments in the life of a new child. Infant mental health support is a fundamental part of holistic, preventive health care. 

Dr. Libster’s holistic solution-focused approach to Infant Mental Health care begins with a very important premise: Parents Really Love Their Children! What causes infants, parents, and caregivers so much concern are the communication challenges of finding ways to demonstrate that love and care that they feel toward their child. While parents and other adults may routinely talk to each other every day as a regular form of communication − Infants do not talk at all or talk very little – but they understand much and are very wise!  Dr. Libster is an infant communication specialist who will help you and your child to communicate better.  She uses many simple and engaging healing techniques to help you to find solutions to any tough problems that arise while you develop the skills for building a healthy relationship with your infant. Caring for an infant is a skill that takes time to learn. The IMHS helps you to become the “secure base” from which your little child will be reassured that the big world is actually a really “good” place.

When Should You Seek Help For A Young Child?

• Ongoing Eating or Sleeping Problems
• Child does not show emotion
• Divorce or  Loss of Caregiver
• Separation from Parent or Primary Caregiver (ex. Military Service)
• Angry or Destructive Behavior (Such as destroying toys or pulling apart insects)
• Child won’t accept comforting 
• Sudden behavior change
• Does not self-soothe or adapt easily
• Does not turn to a known caregiver for comfort
• Rejects being held, touched or playing with others
• Fearful, Guarded, or Withdrawn
• Absence of communication or language in pre-school child
• Unusual / Prolonged sadness
• Excessive Activity or Agitation
• Loss of earlier skills (ex. Toileting and language)
• Premature Baby and Early Hospitalization
• Autism