![Sample our Behavioral Sciences journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110801/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Behavioral-Sciences.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
The unparalleled development of the infant brain occurring within and simultaneously with the forming of a primary attachment bond challenges clinicians to incorporate developmental neuroscience into infant/parent psychotherapy. There is growing evidence that evolution has selected the last trimester of pregnancy continuing through the first two to 2.5 years of life as a Primary Biological Entrainment Period when the quality of infant/parent care and attuned communication (or its lack) affects brain development, secure attachment, and emotional regulation. The manuscript is primarily a theoretical contribution arguing for the need of deeper biological work in infancy. The author suggests the use of an evidenced informed neurobiological scaffold for Infant Parent Psychotherapy called Integrative Regulation Therapy during the Primary Biological Entrainment Period.
Acknowledgments
The iRT scaffold is based on the clinical integration and application of the work from Ainsworth, Citation1991, Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters, & Wall, Citation1978; Beebe et al., Citation2010; Bowlby, Citation1969/1982, Citation1973, Citation1980, & Citation1988; Fraiberg, Citation1980; Fraiberg, Adelson, & Shapiro, Citation1975; George, Kaplan, & Main, Citation1984/1985/1996; Hesse & Main, Citation2000; Lieberman, Citation2004; Lieberman, Padron, Van Horn, & Harris, 2005; Lyons-Ruth & her colleagues, Citation1991, Citation1996, Citation2008, Citation2017; Main, Citation2000; Main and Hesse, Citation1990; Main, Goldwyn, & Hesse, Citation2002; Main & Solomon, Citation1990; Newton, Citation2006, Citation2008, Citation2009/2013, Citation2017; Panksepp, Citation1998, Citation2008; Panksepp & Biven, Citation2012; Porges, Citation2011; Sander, Citation2002, Citation2008a, Citation2008b; Schore, Citation1994, Citation1997, Citation2000, Citation2001a, Citation2001b, Citation2003a, Citation2003b, Citation2005, Citation2011; Sroufe et al., Citation2005; Stern, Citation1985, Citation1995; the van IJzendoorn group, and other referenced developmental neuroscientists. The author wishes to thank First 5 San Diego/Healthy Development Services/Family Health Centers San Diego for grant funding and allowing her to use IPP/iRT as a primary intervention in NCAR infant/parent dyadic interventions. The author also wishes to personally thank Flavia Gastelum for her interest in infant development that initiated NCAR infant/parent dyadic grants and a particular thanks to Dr. Pradeep Gidwani, Susan Nevitt, Claudia Gastelum, and Dr. Khawla Suleiman-Qafiti for their continued support of our work with infants and their parents. The author also wishes to thank Candida Martinez for her excellent research assistance and acknowledge the dedication of the entire NCAR team.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.