Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation, part of Georgetown University’s Thrive Center

Element 9 of 10

Patience

Just as consultants encourage and attempt to foster patience in provider’s and caregiver’s relationships with children, consultants must also be patient with consultees and the pace of change.

Key points

  • IECMHC aspires to make internal and long-lasting change in provider capacity. Therefore, the IECMH consultant curtails their expectations and holds a future orientation.
  • Making program and systemic change is slow, requiring tolerance, persistence, and compassion on the part of the IECMH consultant, toward oneself and toward consultees.

Source: Element text is reproduced from 10 Elements Comprise the Essential Core of an Effective Consultative Stance, Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (2025).

Practical Certificate in IECMHC

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Behavioral Support Specialist, Washington