Behavioral Health Services with High Risk Infants and Families

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.