# Uniting Infant Mental Health and the Pyramid Model

Connecting Principles and Practices to Improve Outcomes

## Authors
- [Lana Shklyar Nenide, M.S., IMH-E®](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=221550&Name=Lana+Nenide,M.S.,%20IMH-E%C2%AE)
- [Kate Sweeney, M.S.W., LCSW-C](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=221551&Name=Kate+Sweeney,M.S.W.,%20LCSW-C)
- [Gerard Costa, Ph.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=221508&Name=Gerard+Costa,Ph.D.)
- [Neal M. Horen, Ph.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=217515&Name=Neal+Horen,Ph.D.)
- [Robert M. Corso, Ph.D.](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=185450&Name=Robert+Corso,Ph.D.)

## Description
Infant Mental Health (IMH) and the Pyramid Model (PM) are two frameworks with an important common goal: supporting the mental health and social-emotional well-being of infants, young children and their families. For the first time ever, one book integrates these two frameworks to create a more effective, knowledgeable, and responsive early childhood workforce.

Developed by a team of visionary early childhood experts, this timely book debunks misunderstandings around IMH and PM and clearly illustrates how these two approaches can combine to support better outcomes for children and families. This book reviews the core concepts of both approaches and explores how integrating them can help programs and professionals:

- Strengthen professional development by implementing an integrated reflective practice approach
- Work effectively for diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice
- Use a trauma-informed approach to support healing in young children and families
- Apply evidence-based strategies to address behaviors that parents and teachers find challenging
- Act as both “stress detective” and co-regulator when children are dysregulated
- Understand and respond to children’s needs rooted in multidisciplinary perspectives
- Increase parental confidence and strengthen the parent–child relationship
- Enhance data-informed decision-making
- Use the best of mental health consultation and Pyramid Model coaching to meet infants’ and young children’s needs

**PRACTICAL MATERIALS:** Get how-to guidance on blending these frameworks, authentic examples and case studies that illustrate effective practices, and dozens of online support materials (available on the Brookes Download Hub).

**[Explore more Pyramid Model resources from Brookes](/content/promote-healthy-social-emotional-development-with-the-pyramid-model/index.html).**

## Reviews
Meghan Schmelzer, LMSW, IECMH-E®, Senior IECMH Policy Manager, ZERO TO THREE - February 13, 2025

"The needs of our littlest ones and our workforce are great; integrating mental health and education into the settings where our babies grow and learn is imperative for their optimal development. This book is a generous invitation to consider how intentionally bridging these two frameworks of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) and the Pyramid Model benefits not only babies, toddlers, and young children, but also the families and adults and the systems that were created to serve them."

Robin Levy, M.A., Pyramid Coordinator, Healthy Child Care Colorado - February 13, 2025

"Offers insights to enhance collaboration, inspiring educators and caregivers to build more cohesive and effective support systems for young children and their families...provokes an urgency to rethink innovatively, as early care and education leaders, and to respond to the needs of our nation's most vulnerable citizens by creating solutions."