The Neurosequential Model in Early Childhood (NMT-EC)

This session will provide an introduction to the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) and the NMT in Early Childhood (NMT-EC) and describe how these tools support the development of a more individualized assessment to better inform therapeutic planning when serving children who have experience trauma, neglect or other adversity – including intrauterine adversity. The discussion will include the four key components of a Metric and the 7 points in time for data collection connected to measuring developmental risk. The dynamic interplay of a child’s chronological, developmental, and functional age will be discussed, along with neurobiological changes related to the stress response systems that impact a child’s functional age, health, well-being, and healing. The relevance of Equifinality and Multifinality to this process will also be processed with the group. Building on these core foundations, the concept of neurobiologically respectful, developmentally guided, and trauma informed therapy will be processed both conceptually and clinically. The construct of “Therapy” will be explored, along with age-appropriate therapeutic approaches and the reflective steps essential to conceptualizing and planning quality therapy for children. 

Dr. Kristie Brandt completed both her Master’s and Doctorate at Case Western Reserve and her background includes public health, mental health, nurse-midwifery and child development. For 53 years, she has worked with pregnant individuals, starting work in southern Italy, in the early 1970s, and then with infants and families from Latina/o, African American, immigrant and low-income communities throughout California. Her thinking and work have been influenced by learning the NBAS in 1988, the CLNBAS/NBO in 2004, and Touchpoints in 1996, in addition to studying and using Dr. Bruce Perry’s work for over 28 years, and developing early childhood and reflective practice applications using his NMT concepts. Napa, California was in the first group of 3 communities trained in Touchpoints in 1996, and she continues to coordinate the Napa, California Touchpoints Training team that has been continuously training for over 30 years. She also taught globally with Dr. T. Berry Brazelton for over 15 years with the National Seminar Series. Kristie is an internationally known teacher, trainer, clinician, and consultant, and Founder and CEO of the Parent-Infant & Child Institute in Napa, CA that provides clinical services for children birth to 5, consultation for parents and providers, and professional training. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics VCF, at U.C. Davis School of Medicine, and a Mentor with Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model Network (NMN). Since its inception in 2003, she had directed the 15- month Napa Infant-Parent Mental Health Fellowship Program, now affiliated with the University of California Davis CPE. The program is currently training its 24th cohort with nearly 1,000 alumni worldwide. She is the lead editor of the book Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health: Core Concepts and Clinical Practice (American Psychiatric Publishing, 2014).