top of page
VAIMH's Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health 
Active Endorsement Registry

Please click HERE for a map of the Chapter Regions.

The VAIMH Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health® (IECMH-E®) is meant to recognize professionals who apply infant and early childhood mental health principles to their work with infants and children aged 0 up to 6-years-old. It does not replace licensure, certification, or credentialing, but instead is meant as a specialization that complements one’s professional license and/or other credentials. VAIMH Endorsement® is cross-sector and multidisciplinary.

 

The categories of Infant and Early Childhood Endorsement® are:

Family Associate (FA)

Family Specialist (FS)

Family Reflective Supervisor (FRS)

Mental Health Specialist (MHS)

Mental Health Mentor (MHM)

  • MHM-Clinical (MHM-C)

  • MHM-Policy (MHM-P)

  • MHM-Research/Faculty (MHM-R/F)

 

Those who have earned Endorsement® have demonstrated a specialized education, work, in-service training, and reflective supervision/consultation experiences, if applicable, that have led to competency in the promotion and/or practice of infant and/or early childhood mental health within the individual’s scope of practice. Detailed information about the requirements for specialized education, work, in-service training, and reflective supervision experiences are different in each category and can be found in the Competency Guidelines for the Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Early Childhood Mental Health®. Each Endorsed professional is required to renew Endorsement® annually to remain on the Active Endorsement® Registry.

 

The primary mission of the infant and early childhood mental health profession is to promote and support nurturing relationships for young children aged 0 up to 6-years-old. The focus is on the development of the infants and young children within the context of complex relationships. Services are comprehensive and intensive, covering multiple domains, including concrete needs, problem solving skills, and family relationships, as well as infant and early childhood development, parent-infant/young child interactions and developing attachment relationships. Services are supportive, affirming, and strengths-based. They are specifically designed to be respectful of the infant/young child’s and family’s individuality, culture and ethnicity. VAIMH endorsed service providers/professionals work in a variety of settings to assure that all young children have opportunities for nurturing relationships essential for optimal growth and development. Depending on the Category of Endorsement, VAIMH endorsed service providers/professionals offer direct services to young children and families; supervise and train staff; consult with, collaborate, and educate other community professionals; advocate for services; develop best practice policies; and/or teach and conduct research in colleges and universities. All activities reflect a commitment to values that are the bedrock of infant and early childhood mental health practice.

 

Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Basic Beliefs

1. Optimal growth and development occur within nurturing relationships;

2. The continual care of an infant/ young child offers a family the possibility of strengthening relationships, and promoting growth and change;

3. What happens in the early years affects the course of development across the life span;

4. Early developing attachment relationships may be distorted or disturbed by parental histories of unresolved losses and traumatic life events;

5. The therapeutic presence of an Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist may reduce the risk of relationship failure and offer the hopefulness of warm and nurturing parental responses.

 

Click here for more information on the Mission and Values of Mental Health Service Providers/Professionals

 

Endorsement involves a standardized process to determine that a professional has accumulated specialized experiences in the infant and early childhood field and has signed a Code of Ethics. (All applicants receive a copy.)

​

An applicant’s experiences are documented by the submission of an application that details competency-based training, specialized work experiences, and for most, reflective supervision/consultation (RSC) experiences.  The application also includes reference ratings.  Endorsees as Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist (I/ECMHS) and Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor (I/ECMHM) have passed an exam that includes measures of theoretical knowledge, direct service skills, and their capacity to apply these principles into practice. This exam is scored by a team of two reviewers who are blind to the identity of the examinee.  

​

​To maintain Endorsement also requires ongoing training and, in the cases of Infant/Early Childhood Family Specialist (I/ECFS), Infant/Early Childhood Family Reflective Supervisors (I/ECFRS), Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist (I/ECMHS) and Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor-Clinical (I/ECMHM-C), ongoing RSC. Endorsees are also required to re-commit to upholding the Code of Ethics annually, which includes signing an attestation that the endorsee has not been sanctioned by a licensing board. 

​

​Endorsement is not a professional license or a certificate.  VAIMH Endorsement cannot guarantee the quality of service of any endorsed professional, and it does not include a process by which complaints or concerns regarding ethics can be filed.  If VAIMH becomes aware of possible ethics violations by an endorsed professional, complainants are encouraged to, when applicable, contact the individual's professional licensing board.  The VAIMH Endorsement does not offer monitoring for ethics violations, however if VAIMH learns that an endorsed professional has been sanctioned by a licensing board, the individual’s name is moved to the Inactive Endorsement Registry.  Those professionals will follow the policy for reactivation to the Active Endorsement Registry once the licensing board’s sanctions have been lifted.

VAIMH's Newest Endorsement
2023

Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement®

Leadership Cohort

In 2022, the Early Childhood Mental Health  Virginia (ECMHVA) Initiative sought to implement the Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® (ECMH-E) to establish, support, and promote a cohesive, interdisciplinary workforce dedicated to services for young children aged 3 up to 6-years-old and their families. Four mental health professionals were selected to participate in the ECMH-E® Leadership Cohort based on their leadership qualities, knowledge of infant and early childhood mental health, and their relationships across sectors within the infant and early childhood workforce. We congratulate and appreciate Virginia's first Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsed professionals, designated with a * beside their Endorsement date, who supported the ECMHVA Initiative and VAIMH's rollout of the ECMH Endorsement® in the summer of 2023.  

I/ECMHM

Mental Health Mentors (9)
I/ECMHM
Leaders in the Infant/Early Childhood Family Field

Credential
Last Name
First Name
Endorsement
Region
Date Endorsed
Email
Infant Mental Health Mentor
Bodkin, LCSW
Catherine
IMH-E® (Policy)
Piedmont
12/19/2022
cb1246@aol.com
Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor
Brickey, LCSW
Jessica
ECMH-E® (Clinical)
Central
*12/16/2022
JBrickeyLCSW@gmail.com
Infant Mental Health Mentor
Del Fabbro, M.D.
Anilla
IMH-E® (Clinical)
Piedmont
11/20/2013
Infant Mental Health Mentor
Jones, MA, Ed.
Summer
IMH-E® (Policy)
Central
1/12/2023
Infant Mental Health Mentor
Martens, LCSW
Judith
IMH-E® (Clinical)
Northern
3/8/2013
judith.martens@verizon.net
Infant Mental Health Mentor
Robinson Brock, MSW
Jackie
IMH-E® (Policy)
Central
1/24/2022
robinsonjb3@vcu.edu
Infant Mental Health Mentor
Shoaf, MSW
Laura
IMH-E® (Policy)
Northern
7/6/2022
Infant Mental Health Mentor
Terry, MS, M.Ed.
Lisa
IMH-E® (Research/Faculty)
Eastern
7/5/2023
lmterry@vcu.edu
Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor
Triveri, LPC
Sandra
ECMH-E® (Clinical)
Northern
*12/16/2022
sandra_triveri@yahoo.com
I/ECMHS

Mental Health Specialists (9)
(I/ECMHS)
Clinical Intervention/Treatment

Credential
Last Name
First Name
Endorsement
Region
Date Endorsed
Email
Infant Mental Health Specialist
Bermudez, Ph.D.
Diana
IMH-E®
Northern
10/21/2020
diana@amarecenter.com
Infant Mental Health Specialist
Brickey, LCSW
Jessica
IMH-E®
Central
01/17/2020
JBrickeyLCSW@gmail.com
Infant Mental Health Specialist
Coleman, LCSW
Debbie
IMH-E®
Eastern
09/07/2012
thenewdebdeb@gmail.com
Infant Mental Health Specialist
Coyle, LCSW
Tamara
IMH-E®
Piedmont
07/05/2016
caledoniacounselingva@gmail.com
Infant Mental Health Specialist
Grinney, LCSW
Naomi
IMH-E®
Northern
01/24/2022
Naomi.grinney@fairfaxcounty.gov
Infant Mental Health Specialist
Michaels, LCSW
Sarah
IMH-E®
Northern
01/24/2022
Infant Mental Health Specialist
Phillips, MSW
Megan
IMH-E®
Piedmont
05/16/2017
Infant Mental Health Specialist
Triveri, LPC
Sandra
IMH-E®
Northern
02/17/2022
sandra_triveri@yahoo.com
Infant Mental Health Specialist
Yates, MSW
Kristin
IMH-E®
Northern
04/17/2019
I/ECFRS

Family Reflective Supervisors (5)
(I/ECFRS)
Prevention/Early Intervention & RSC Provider

Credential
Last Name
First Name
Endorsement
Region
Date Endorsed
Email
Infant Family Reflective Supervisor
Holland-Brock, MA
Dee
IMH-E®
Piedmont
1/9/2023
rosehill3129@gmail.com
Infant Family Reflective Supervisor
O'Neill, MS
Shannon
IMH-E®
Piedmont
12/14/2022
sarehart@readykidscville.org
Infant Family Reflective Supervisor
Trueblood, MA
Jaylene
IMH-E®
Eastern
6/21/2023
jtrueblood@chesapeakeibh.net
Infant Family Reflective Supervisor
Weaver, MA
Juliana
IMH-E®
Piedmont
3/8/2023
juliana.weaver@childhealthpartnership.org
Infant Family Reflective Supervisor
Whitehurst, Ed.S.
Melinda
IMH-E®
Piedmont
12/14/2022
mwoverlook@gmail.com
I/ECFS

Family Specialists (53)
(I/ECFS)
Prevention/Early Intervention

Credential
Last Name
First Name
Endorsement
Region
Date Endorsed
Email
Infant Family Specialist
Anderson
Susan
IMH-E®
Piedmont
11/5/2019
susana8870@gmail.com
Infant Family Specialist
Ayers
Torri
IMH-E®
Piedmont
5/23/2017
torri.ayers@childhealthpartnership.org
Infant Family Specialist
Booker
Pam
IMH-E®
Central
12/1/2016
pbooker@ThriveB5.org
Infant Family Specialist
Brennan
Kathy
IMH-E®
Northern
8/5/2020
kate09178@gmail.com
Infant Family Specialist
Castro
Christina
IMH-E®
Northern
8/24/2020
Infant Family Specialist
Coles
Tanya
IMH-E®
Eastern
6/25/2018
tanya.coles1028@gmail.com
Infant Family Specialist
Crostic, BS
Maria E.
IMH-E®
Central
12/14/2022
Infant Family Specialist
Daugherty
Zandalee
IMH-E®
Northern
9/14/2021
Infant Family Specialist
Farr
Celia
IMH-E®
Eastern
10/19/2015
cfarrcounselor@gmail.com
Infant Family Specialist
Feliciano
Marialid
IMH-E®
Northern
8/5/2022
Infant Family Specialist
Fulcher
Meredith
IMH-E®
Piedmont
11/14/2022
Early Childhood Family Specialist
Gardner, LCSW
Mark
ECMH-E®
Northern
*12/16/2022
mark@nurturechildandfamily.com
Infant Family Specialist
Gilliam
Ami
IMH-E®
Central
3/28/2023
Infant Family Specialist
Gregory
Karen
IMH-E®
Central
2/6/2023
Infant Family Specialist
Harrison, M.Ed.
Christina
IMH-E®
Western
12/6/2022
Infant Family Specialist
Hatley
Angeline
IMH-E®
Northern
1/31/2023
Infant Family Specialist
Heflin
Rosemary
IMH-E®
Piedmont
11/10/2017
Rosemary.Heflin@childhealthpartnership.org
Infant Family Specialist
Holland-Brock, MA
Dee
IMH-E®
Piedmont
6/4/2018
rosehill3129@gmail.com
Infant Family Specialist
Kraus, LCSW
Bari
IMH-E®
Eastern
1/2/2019
bari@aliciasplace.org
Infant Family Specialist
Landry
Patricia
IMH-E®
Western
4/26/2022
patricial@cdr.org
Infant Family Specialist
Lawer, M.Ed.
Mitzi
IMH-E®
Northern
2/25/2023
Infant Family Specialist
Mayen Velasquez, BSW, CFCS-HDFS
Marjory
IMH-E®
Northern
2/6/2023
Infant Family Specialist
Moon
Patsy
IMH-E®
Central
12/18/2015
pmoon873@gmail.com
Infant Family Specialist
Murrah
Amy
IMH-E®
Northern
9/13/2013
Infant Family Specialist
Pakula
Leslie
IMH-E®
Central
12/4/2018
Pakulal@chesterfield.gov
Infant Family Specialist
Palacios
Lisseth
IMH-E®
Northern
9/23/2019
lisseth.palacios@fairfaxcounty.gov
Infant Family Specialist
Paracka
Annie
IMH-E®
Central
3/28/2023
Infant Family Specialist
Parker
Kelly
IMH-E®
Eastern
1/23/2019
parkerkl@nnva.gov
Infant Family Specialist
Peters
Carol
IMH-E®
Piedmont
3/2/2021
cpeters@nrcaa.org
Infant Family Specialist
Phillips-Hale
Hannah
IMH-E®
Piedmont
3/16/2022
hannahphillips83@gmail.com
Infant Family Specialist
Quenga
Carmen
IMH-E®
Northern
3/31/2022
Infant Family Specialist
Reyes
Janina
IMH-E®
Northern
12/8/2020
Infant Family Specialist
Richey
Yolanda
IMH-E®
Central
7/16/2017
Infant Family Specialist
Robertson
Tristan
IMH-E®
Piedmont
12/18/2015
trissy23@aol.com
Infant Family Specialist
Rogers
Ashley
IMH-E®
Central
8/25/2022
Infant Family Specialist
Santacoloma, BS, CIMI
Martha
IMH-E®
Central
12/6/2022
Infant Family Specialist
Smith
Paula
IMH-E®
Eastern
9/14/2021
paulabpowell@hotmail.com
Infant Family Specialist
Smith
Kimberly
IMH-E®
Central
1/26/2021
Infant Family Specialist
Spain, DNP, C-PNP, PMHS, RN-BC
Stephanie
IMH-E®
Eastern
1/16/2019
StephBrown0711@gmail.com
Infant Family Specialist
Tazi
Linda
IMH-E®
Eastern
2/8/2021
Infant Family Specialist
Terry, MS, M.Ed.
Lisa
IMH-E®
Eastern
8/3/2020
lmterry@vcu.edu
Infant Family Specialist
Thomae
Josetta
IMH-E®
Eastern
3/3/2020
Infant Family Specialist
Thornton
Mary
IMH-E®
Central
12/18/2015
nanathornton1403@gmail.com
Infant Family Specialist
Trueblood, MA
Jaylene
IMH-E®
Eastern
12/20/2019
Infant Family Specialist
Trujillo, M.Ed., MBA
Luz E.
IMH-E®
Northern
2/18/2023
Infant Family Specialist
Van Doren-Jackson
Johanna
IMH-E®
Northern
11/2/2021
Infant Family Specialist
Walker
Leah
IMH-E®
Northern
2/16/2023
Infant Family Specialist
Walters
Tracy
IMH-E®
Central
10/8/2017
Infant Family Specialist
Weaver
Julianna
IMH-E®
Piedmont
8/26/2019
Infant Family Specialist
Weir
Marianne
IMH-E®
Eastern
6/17/2020
Infant & Early Childhood Family Specialist
Whitehurst, Ed.S.
Melinda
I/ECMH-E®
Piedmont
12/18/2015
mwoverlook@gmail.com
Infant Family Specialist
Wimbush
Dawn
IMH-E®
Eastern
12/18/2015
dawnw@cdr.org
Infant Family Specialist
Zoller
Kylie
IMH-E®
Northern
6/2/2020
kylie7281@gmail.com
I/ECFA

Family Associates (6)
(I/ECFA)
Promotion

Credential
Last Name
First Name
Endorsement
Region
Date Endorsed
Email
Infant Family Associate
Bonilla
Katiuska
IMH-E®
Northern
10/7/2019
Infant Family Associate
Earhart
Ruth Ann
IMH-E®
Piedmont
9/24/2018
RuthAnne.Earhart@ChildHealthPartnership.org
Infant Family Associate
Gallier
Susan
IMH-E®
Northern
12/18/2015
susangallier@verizon.net
Infant Family Associate
Hale
Jessica
IMH-E®
Eastern
7/9/2020
Infant Family Associate
Michovich
Mariel
IMH-E®
Northern
9/2/2016
totai2000@hotmail.com
Infant Family Associate
Stahr, BS
Kristen
IMH-E®
Central
9/21/2022
khstahr@vcu.edu
bottom of page