Drawing upon decades of findings from prenatal and perinatal psychology and health, infant mental health, and other emerging sciences, we announce the new field of research, education, and practice of Primary Psychology. This field focuses on the period of time from pre-conception through the first year of life as the primary period of human development.

Much of what prenatal and perinatal psychology has mapped out over the last 30 years is a deep appreciation and understanding that as we come into human life, from pre-conception forward, we are forming our foundation of being.

By the time we are young babies, our prenatal, birth, and newborn experiences have already set in motion a foundation for the person we will become. In prenatal and perinatal psychology oriented therapies with adults, children and babies, we have come to realize the profound imprint, the profound effect our earliest experiences have in shaping every aspect of our being: physical, emotional, mental, relational and spiritual. 

Although we believe babies are resilient, awareness and support during this primary period is of paramount importance. From decades of prenatal and perinatal psychology clinical work, we have found ways to help prevent or heal or stress
when mom, baby, and/or dad  are having or have had difficulties or complications during the prenatal, birth and bonding and newborn period. We have the tools to assess and work with babies and parents right away rather than wait until the baby is older and patterns have become more problematic.

Primary Psychology not only seeks to prevent and treat potential difficulties, but also seeks to optimize babies’ human potential and families’ experiences during the primary period of pre-conception through the first year of life. In order to do these, we seek to develop:

• Awareness. Create community wide awareness of the primary period of human development to focus priority and community wide development.
  
  
• Education and support. Educate and support parents, paraprofessionals, and professionals supporting babies and families on key findings from prenatal and perinatal psychology research on primary events and experiences during the pre-conception through first year of life that can make the difference between thriving and surviving, between helping these children reach more of their potential or slipping into a cascade of potential problems.
  
  
• Training and mentoring. Training therapists and professionals to assess and provide therapeutic support for the prevention or healing of stress or trauma as well as to optimize pregnancy, birth, postpartum and the first year of life.
  
  
• Services for families. Create more focused services for families during this period based on a collaboration of families, professionals, community programs, and funders.
  

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