AAIMH NSW Event:

Minding the infant - the mother – and the mind of the other: describing a 20-hour parent-infant group program

OVERVIEW 
In this seminar we will hear from Sharon Cooke about Mother–Baby Nurture® (MBN), a government-funded, relationship-focused group program for mothers and babies, now delivered by seven services in thirteen communities across Western Australia. MBN is a step-down service based on principles of Mentalization-Based Treatment. The group addresses the way childbirth and attachment trauma can unravel families by activating the caregiver’s biobehavioural stress system, capacity to mentalize, attachment behaviours (re-enactments), and epistemic (mis)trust.

PRESENTER 
Sharon Cooke practices as a parent–infant therapist and co-founder of Mother–Baby Nurture® (MBN). Initially starting out as a midwife and child health nurse, Sharon has been a committed advocate for the developing infant and family system for the past thirty years. Frustrated by how difficult it can be to help families affected by intergenerational trauma, Sharon returned to study. She deepened her understanding of attachment theory and family dynamics through a Master of Perinatal and Infant Mental Health and UK-based training in Psychodynamic Parent–Infant Psychotherapy. For the past twelve years, Sharon has facilitated reflective relationship-focussed groups and led ongoing development of MBN. In 2024, Sharon was awarded the Creswick Fellowship, visiting Finland and the UK to explore the peaks and pitfalls of establishing community-based infant mental health programs in diverse cultural and service contexts.

DATE:                      Wednesday, 26th November 2025
TIME:                        7:00–8:00 PM  (UTC+10)
VENUE:                    Online
REGISTRATION:      Visit Website   Free for AAIMH members | $15 for non-member

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