Transgenerational Healing: The possibilities of Infant led family therapy

Beyond the contribution of the family to the infant's development, this paper focuses on the contributions of the infant to their family's development, with a focus on recovery from intergenerational trauma. 

The arrival of an infant sparks both challenge and promise in all family relationship systems. It heralds a potential therapeutic turning point, for families approaching the caregiving role with histories of interpersonal trauma. Here, we consider the purpose and possibilities of infant-led family work, with a focus on understanding the infant’s communications about relational security, and safely utilising their voice to call the family into the task of building the four pillars of trust with their baby: safety, security, repair and joy. The work rests on the MERTIL program and extensive allied research, and applies equally to intact and separated family structures. 

The paper offers developmental and single session principles for infant-led brief family work, to create trauma transformative spaces for family to think safely together about building foundations of trust in care for their baby – born or unborn. Examples of interactive tasks and the family’s therapeutic letters to their baby are given. Participants are encouraged to apply their practice wisdom to the creation of a single session framework for trauma informed, infant-led family work, in their own service context.