A decade of parent and infant relationship support group therapy programs

Abstract

A 10-year experience with a unique, short-term community group therapy program, Parent and Infant Relationship Support (PAIRS) for high risk infants and their parents is discussed. The program offers ten, 2-hour closed weekly group therapy sessions for mothers and their babies, following a parallel conjoint model of group work. The aims of the PAIRS group program are threefold: to increase positive parent-infant interaction and secure attachment, to decrease maternal postnatal depression, and to foster optimal infant development. Evaluation of the program has shown promising results in comparison with a control group. Clinical case material is used to illustrate therapeutic processes underlying the positive outcomes.