Bring infant and early childhood mental health consultation into your program
A virtual IECMHC training program that builds consultation capacity with the staff you already have - clinicians and non-clinicians.
- 4
- months virtual training
- 8
- months reflective supervision
- $3,000
- per seat
- 3
- training cohorts per year
How it works
The program runs for 12 months in two phases. Certification comes at the end of the 12 months, once both phases are complete.
- Training4 months
- 1 to 2 hours a week of short, self-paced modules
- A 90-minute live class each week, with up to 24 candidates per instructor
- In most cohorts, live classes are offered at noon, 3pm, and 7pm ET on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
- Reflective supervision8 months
- Monthly reflective supervision by licensed clinicians, with up to 12 candidates per instructor
- Monthly office hours
- Keeps non-licensed consultants compliant with Head Start performance standards while those remain in place
- Turnover protection: if a staff member leaves at any time, we train their replacement at no cost
- Optional: continued reflective supervision in year two for $2,000
- Continued reflective supervision
- Continued turnover protection
- Certification doesn't depend on renewal
Who it's for
The certificate trains your staff on the national IECMHC competencies. There are two pathways, one for clinicians and one for early childhood staff:
Mental health pathway
For mental health clinicians, and for recent graduates with a master's in clinical social work or counseling.
Early childhood pathway
For current staff with at least a bachelor's in early childhood education, early intervention, or a related field, and at least two years in the field.
Exceptions can be made for deeply experienced staff. Email us to discuss.
Built for the staff you already have
You do not need a funded consultant position to start benefitting from IECMHC skills
- 2 in 3
- plan to stay in their current roles and use IECMHC skills to better support staff and children
- 91%
- started using IECMHC skills in their roles within 2 months
- 97%
- would recommend the program to someone they know
Who the candidates are and where they work
Self-reported data from our June cohort
What participants say about the training program
“I don't have to fix it. We can fix this together.”Jacee TuckerBehavior Coach, Tennessee “We're able to support people through trauma, even if we don't know the whole story.”Lia SmithEducation Manager, Rhode Island
The moment for me was realizing that I was supporting the team in reflecting, but the questions I was asking were more so leading versus opening the door for true reflection.
Early Learning ManagerIllinois
I love that we all learned similar things. I thought I was behind the curve when I started. Now I see we really learned so much together.
Infant Mental Health AssociationIndiana
It felt before this course like I had a lot of these skills, but I was juggling them and snatching one out of air every now and then to use it. This course taught me HOW to use these skills effectively, and it will really make a difference in how I work with my team.
Early Head Start Center ManagerMassachusetts
I am taking more of a team approach, asking more questions, reflecting more often. I am seeing teachers opening up more when we take a team approach.
Disabilities Mental Health SpecialistPennsylvania
I'm very secluded where I am. I really feel like I found my tribe. It provided me with support that I typically give but don't get.
Coach and Mental Health CoordinatorNew Mexico
As a home visiting supervisor, it has allowed me to really connect with the staff. Home visiting can feel lonely at times for the team, so having someone to reflect on the work and listen attentively has been great. I look forward to supporting other home visiting programs with consultation.
Program Director of Family Support ServicesIllinois
I have made connections with teaching staff to help with self-regulation and staff burnout. Hearing teachers out more and knowing when to step in.
Special Services ManagerIndiana
This course has challenged me to look at myself as part of the consultation process. I am learning how I show up matters just as much as the strategies I bring with me… I have a deeper understanding that supporting young children means supporting the relationships and systems around them, while continuing to reflect on myself along the way.
Behavioral Support SpecialistWashington
I feel incredibly lucky to have this experience with Trista. She truly created a safe, vulnerable space to share, learn, and make mistakes. We all made such strong connections and it really was an inspiring space for learning!
Social Emotional SpecialistOregon
This course has helped me realize how the consultation model should look and how we should be implementing it. The program where I work has been supportive in shifting roles and responsibilities so that I can take on the consultant role.
Head Start Mental Health SpecialistIndiana
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What you'll learn
Open a module to see what you'll learn and how it's assessed.
Foundations of IECMHC
Explain the work and its impact, and hold the role- Explain consultation and its impact to any audience
- Tell consultation apart from therapy, coaching, and training
- Hold the consultant role with confidence
Assessment: A 60 to 90 second video explaining IECMHC to a skeptical director.
Best practices
Practice trauma-informed consultation- Recognize trauma and its impact on behavior
- Support consultees working with children affected by trauma
- Spot secondary traumatic stress in consultees and yourself
Assessment: A knowledge check, a reflective journal, and a personal self-care plan.
Program evaluation
Measure what consultation changes- Name the outcomes IECMHC typically measures
- Connect daily documentation to evaluation
- Use findings to improve practice
Assessment: Take a sample data finding and describe how it changes your consultation approach.
Assessment and observation
Observe, assess, and make recommendations- Conduct structured classroom observations
- Score and interpret common tools
- Turn assessment data into recommendations
Assessment: Score a classroom video on the TPOT Short Form and draft talking points for the teacher.
The consultative relationship
Build trust with consultees at every level of a program- Run a first meeting that builds trust
- Work through resistance, skepticism, and boundary confusion
- Respond to power dynamics
Assessment: A recorded first meeting with a teacher, plus prep notes for a director and a family.
The consultation process
Consult at the child, classroom, and program level- Distinguish child, classroom, and program consultation
- Move through the phases of consultation
- Identify common roadblocks
Assessment: Identify the phase, build an action plan from assessment data, and respond to a mid-implementation challenge.
Equity in consultation
Practice equity-centered consultation- Recognize how implicit bias shapes responses to behavior
- Practice culturally responsive consultation
- Have difficult conversations about bias
Assessment: Analyze a case for equity concerns and draft the talking points for the consultee.
Reflective practice and supervision
Reflect, get supervised, and stay in the work- Engage in reflective practice daily
- Prepare for and participate in reflective supervision
- Find reflection when supervision is unavailable
Assessment: Prepare a case for reflective supervision, or present it in a mock session.
Capstone
Apply every skill to one integrated case- Apply skills across modules in one integrated case
- Self-assess readiness
- Build a professional development plan
Assessment: An integrated case study and a readiness assessment.
$750off tuition
IECMHC Impact Award
30 awards in every cohort. Apply by Friday, January 8 for the February 2027 cohort.
Instructors
Georgetown faculty and IECMHC leaders teach and supervise. Licensed clinicians and practicing consultants lead the live classes and supervision groups with the Georgetown team.
Neal M. Horen, PhD(opens in a new tab)Director, Infant, Early Childhood, and Relational Health, Phyllis R. Magrab Endowed Chair in Pediatrics, Thrive Center, Georgetown University; Chief Clinical Officer, Attunify.
Julia Sayles(opens in a new tab)LMHC, IECMH-EAssistant Professor, Georgetown University. Pyramid Model national consultant
Lauren Rabinovitz(opens in a new tab)Project Director, IECMHC Programs. Lead instructor
Jamie Knott(opens in a new tab)LCPC, PMH-CInfant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
San Juanita Guerra(opens in a new tab)MA, LPC-SInfant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Sunny Cho(opens in a new tab)LMFT, IFECMHSInfant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Trista Vonada(opens in a new tab)LCSWInfant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Questions before you register
Will I be ready to consult after completing this?
Yes. The training is built for day-one readiness. Then 8 months of reflective supervision support you while you start the work. You're certified at the end of the full 12 months.
I'm an experienced consultant. Is this for me?
Yes. Serving consultants enroll to formalize their practice against the national competencies. 8 months of reflective supervision is included.
Can my program pay for me?
Yes. Many participants are sponsored by their Head Start program, agency, or employer. We invoice your organization, accept bank transfer or card, and provide a W-9.
What if the Head Start requirement for mental health consultation is removed?
An August 2026 proposed rule(opens in a new tab) would remove it. Until a final rule takes effect, the current standards apply. Whatever the final rule says, the skills your staff build stay in your program.
What is the refund policy?
Purchases are non-refundable. A seat can be applied to a future cohort within 12 months, and a one-time deferral can be requested before the end of week two of training.
What is the IECMHC Impact Award and how do I apply?
It's a $750 tuition reduction, so a seat costs $2,250 instead of $3,000. Georgetown's Center of Excellence for IECMHC and Attunify, Inc. offer 30 awards in every cohort, and the $750 comes off your invoice at enrollment.
Clinicians and non-clinical staff who meet the entry requirements can both apply. Employees and contractors of Attunify, Inc. and staff of Georgetown's Center of Excellence aren't eligible.
To apply, choose Individual on the sign-up form and say yes to the Impact Award. Then answer 2 questions of up to 150 words each about the community you serve and how you'll use your IECMHC skills. For the February 2027 cohort, apply by Friday, January 8.
The award can't be combined with any other pricing except the 12-month installment plan.
The Practical Certificate is a professional certificate. It isn't a degree, and the program isn't accredited. Attunify may update these terms, and changes don't affect awards already granted. Terms last updated Monday, October 12, 2026.
What if I have any more questions?
Feel free to email us.
