Behavioral Health Services with High-Risk Infants and Families Meeting the Needs of Patients, Families, and Providers in Fetal, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Neonatal Follow-Up Settings

There are relatively high rates of complications in the fetal and neonatal periods (1 in 33 fetuses born with birth defects and 1 in 10 preterm births in the US). With advances in maternal-fetal care and growing services and life-extending medical innovations in the neonatal period, more families are presenting to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and often for longer lengths of time. The growing recognition of mental health needs of families and providers in fetal care centers, NICUs, and neonatal follow-up programs has led to a quickly increasing presence of behavioral health providers in these settings. Behavioral Health Services with High-Risk Infants & Families is a practical guide for mental health clinicians working in fetal care, NICU, and neonatal follow-up care. The book provides a broad overview of common medical conditions in fetal and NICU settings (e.g., congenital anomalies, premature birth, hypoxic injury in the perinatal period), prevalence, and symptoms of behavioral health challenges, specific considerations for assessment and intervention, and cross-cutting issues to assist the clinician with optimizing behavioral health care integration with mothers, partners, babies, and families. Additionally, information about the provision of psychosocial support and education to staff is also included. The text represents a comprehensive, practical resource for behavioral health clinicians working with pregnant women, partners, infants, families, and providers in perinatal and neonatal intensive care settings. The book features de-identified case examples, trauma-informed care prompts/scripts, specific questions for assessment and intakes, key medical terms, resource guides, and reference lists.

Allison G. Dempsey, PhD is a licensed psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is the Director of the Connections Program for High-Risk Infants and Families and the Perinatal Behavioral Health Pathways Program. She has worked with high-risk infants and families for over a decade across fetal care, neonatal intensive care, and neonatal follow-up settings. She is the elected co-chair of the executive committee of the National Network of NICU Psychologists. Her clinical work focuses on the development and psychological and behavioral functioning of high-risk infants and their families across the continuum of medical settings from pregnancy through early childhood. Her research focuses on models of care for behavioral health service delivery with high-risk infants and families. Joanna C.M. Cole, PhD, PMH-C is a licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the manager of psychosocial programs within the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, caring for expectant parents diagnosed with a fetal birth defect. Dr. Cole provides psychotherapy with individuals and couples on effective coping strategies and emotional preparation for different stages in the medical experience, from pregnancy diagnosis and prenatal care, through the birth process and the neonatal intensive care stay. She also provides options counseling and grief support to help families plan for and cope with the intrauterine and/or neonatal death of their baby. She is the Associate Clinical Chair for the Family StEPS Program, a new initiative across CHOP's fetal and early childhood programs to provide resources, clinical care, and partnerships to help nurture parental-child attachment and development. Dr. Cole is also an active member in Postpartum Support International, where she acts as an international trainer and Curriculum Manager for the Perinatal Mood Disorders Components of Care 2-Day Training Course and Advanced Psychotherapy Course. Sage N. Saxton, PsyD is a licensed psychologist whose work focuses on children and families from birth through early childhood. Dr. Saxton is a Professor of Pediatrics with the Oregon Health & Science University's (OHSU) Institute on Development and Disability (IDD). She is the Director of the NICU Follow Up Program and has worked with high-risk infants and their families for over 13 years. Dr. Saxton is an active member of both the National Perinatal Association (NPA) and Postpartum Support International and serves on the Board of Directors for the NPA. She is the elected co-chair of the executive committee of the National Network of NICU Psychologists. Dr. Saxton's research interests include developmental and educational outcomes for children born prematurely, children's adjustment to traumatic loss, and the provision of hospital-based parental support. She is actively involved in programmatic development efforts nationally to improve family and patient centered NICU care.