Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Training and Development Institute

About the Institute

The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Training & Development Institute has been developed by Gidget Foundation Australia in an effort to address the nationwide shortage of specialist perinatal mental health clinicians. The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Training & Development Institute has recently been initiated, developed and led by Gidget Foundation Australia’s Workforce Development Committee comprising of:

• Justine Adler: Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Clinical Psychologist and APHRA Psychology Board Approved Supervisor.
• Chris Barnes: Gidget Foundation Australia, Clinical Team Leader and Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Clinical Psychologist.
• Professor Bryanne Barnett: Preeminent Child and Family Psychiatrist and former Conjoint Professor at the University of New South Wales.
• Arabella Gibson: Gidget Foundation Australia, CEO.
• Bethany Hackshall: Gidget Foundation Australia, Organisational Programs Manager.
• Professor Kathryn Nicholson Perry: Associate Dean, Discipline of Psychological Sciences, Australian College of Applied Psychology.

The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Training & Development Institute offers comprehensive ‘on the job’ training and supervision to clinicians who have some clinical experience but limited perinatal mental health experience and are looking to develop skills and experience in the field.

What the program offers

This Unique Training and Development Program is FREE and includes:

• The opportunity to develop skills and experience in perinatal and infant mental health and early intervention whilst delivering support to clients.
• Two half day training workshops prior to client consultation commencement.
• Training seminars delivered by perinatal and infant mental health experts (once every three weeks).
• Weekly supervision with a dedicated supervisor.
• Monthly group supervision with other trainees and supervisors.
• Access to Gidget Foundation Australia’s virtual group supervision (at least once a month) and training workshops.

Gidget Foundation Australia offers:

• Centralised appointment booking and management.
• No rental or overheads contribution.
• Client sourcing, administrative support and service promotion.
• Supervision (group and individual) and professional development opportunities without cost.

Clinician Requirements

• Accreditation or registration as a clinical or registered psychologist, mental health social worker or occupational therapist.
• Trainees are expected to commit to building up to seeing a minimum of 5 clients a week.
• Ongoing commitment to continue employment with GFA for at least a half day per week for 12 months post the one-year development program.
• Demonstrated proficiency in comprehensive psychological assessment and evidence-based therapy with mental health issues.
• At least 2 years post registration or accreditation experience desirable.
• Experience in child and family work or trauma desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a recovery-oriented model, utilising a person/family centred approach.
• Demonstrated high level communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently under approved professional supervision.
• Effective caseload management.

Gidget Foundation Australia’s perinatal (conception to one year postpartum) trainee clinicians provide a wide range of individual, couple and parent-infant therapies to women and their partners. In addition to pre-conception counselling, we offer services to those experiencing or at risk of developing perinatal depressive, anxiety and trauma or stressor-related disorders. Support is also provided to women and their partners who have experienced a pregnancy or childbirth-related loss, e.g. stillbirth, miscarriage or termination.

The service is delivered through Medicare’s Better Access initiative and the remuneration for all clinicians is therefore the affiliated Medicare Rebate.

The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Training and Development Institute is supported by funding from Sydney North PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN’s Program, the NSW Government and the Australian Government.