Early Childhood Mental Health

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The Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) Program at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland provides a range of specialized mental health services for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families. As part of the overseeing Early Intervention Services (EIS) Department, the ECMH Program provides additional facets of care to help area families beyond the medical setting.

Why Families Choose Us

Positive Relationships for Children and Families

• The Early Childhood Mental Health Program is designed to support the growth of secure parent-child relationships and to encourage healthy social and emotional development in children up to age 5.
• Relationship-based infant-parent psychotherapy is offered in the home so that everyone feels comfortable with the work being done, with additional parent-infant education and support groups offered outside the home.
• Through the Fussy Baby Program, a component of ECMH, our infant specialists provide specific interventions for families struggling to care for a baby who is fussy, crying excessively, or has difficulties with sleeping or feeding.

Pediatric Mental Health Support in Alameda County

• Because we're backed by the Children’s Hospital Oakland system, the ECMH Program offers a unique chance for communities in need to access top-tier resources. The Alameda County Early Childhood Mental Health System of Care also provides a strong support network, allowing us to weave together prevention, early intervention, and treatment services for local families.

Access to Trained Professionals Right at Home

• The Program's staff includes psychologists, developmental specialists, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapy clinicians. An intensive training component for mental health professionals ensures that you have access to qualified staff when you need it most
• All professionals at ECMH work closely with medical groups in the hospital, including the Neonatal Follow-Up Program and other specialty care providers. Multidisciplinary teams combine their talents and resources to provide community-based infant and early childhood mental health programs