Building Emotionally Secure Humans: Celebrating Erikson’s Infant Mental Health Certificate Graduates

“You’re not just clinicians or consultants or advocates or educators. You all are translators of the nervous system. You’re interpreters of pre-verbal joy and pain, and sometimes co-regulators of tiny storms. You all hold both the science and the soul of this work. Because infant mental health is more than about attachment theory and developmental milestones … At its core, this work is about healing relationships across generations, across systems and across time.”

These words, spoken by Siemone Smith, LCPC, were part of Smith’s address to the 2025 graduates of Erikson Institute’s Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECHMH) Certificate program.

The 2025 class had 35 graduates, and many attended one of two virtual ceremonies celebrating their achievement of completing rigorous coursework and practicum activities, often on top of full-time work and family responsibilities.

“This was one of our largest cohorts ever, showing the growing interest in IECMH,” said Sarah Martinez, MA, MEd, senior instructor and director of Erikson’s IECMH certificate program. “Erikson is committed to growing this segment of the early childhood workforce because what they do is foundational to parent and child well-being not just when children are little but throughout their lives.”

Smith, a therapist with 15 years of experience in the field, is a trainer and adjunct instructor at Erikson. She is also a passionate advocate for healing in early childhood relationships. In her remarks to the graduates, Smith told the story of a young mother, using the pseudonym “Tasha”, who struggled with parenting her baby “Malachi” due to her own history of early trauma. Through consistent, compassionate counseling sessions where her emotional needs were addressed along with her child’s, Tasha became more engaged, and Malachi became more emotionally regulated.

“As Tasha became more present, Malachi really began to flourish,” Smith said. “His body relaxed. His sleep got a little bit better. He started smiling more and reaching for her more and he even cried a little bit less. And Tasha started smiling more too. And that is infant mental health.”

In closing, Smith urged the graduates to spread the word about the value of their profession. “So the next time someone asks you what you do … Try telling them, ‘I help build emotionally secure humans who will go on to create a more compassionate world.’ And that, dear graduates, is the truth.”

To view a video of Smith’s entire address, please click here.

If you’re inspired by the profound impact of this work—on babies, families, and communities—consider how Erikson’s Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Certificate Program might support your own journey. Designed for professionals across early learning, child welfare, behavioral health, and early intervention, this graduate certificate equips you to become an infant mental health specialist who can truly transform lives. Whether you’re deepening your expertise in child development or seeking new tools to support emotionally secure relationships, Erikson’s program offers a unique blend of science, reflection, and relational practice.

Learn more about how our certificate program is advancing the field of early childhood mental health—and how you can be part of it.