In Oxfordshire, the Oxford Parent-Infant Project (OXPIP) is providing essential support to new parents and their infants, helping families during the crucial early stages of parenthood. OXPIP specialises in early intervention, offering therapeutic services from conception up to the child’s second birthday, focusing on strengthening the bond between parent and child.

I recently spoke with Dr Karen Bateson, Joint CEO and Executive Director of OXPIP, about the organisation’s work. Dr Bateson highlighted the importance of these early interactions, emphasising their long-term impact on a child’s emotional development. She noted, “It is surprisingly common for parents to experience something that interferes with the bonding process,” citing issues such as mental health challenges, poverty, housing instability, past experiences of baby loss, conception difficulties, and birth trauma.

OXPIP offers short-term parent-infant psychotherapy, a service that addresses the emotional wellbeing of both the parent and the child. The organisation’s primary focus is on families in need of extra support during these early stages of bonding. OXPIP works with parents dealing with a range of challenges, such as those mentioned by Dr Bateson.

A distinctive feature of OXPIP is its commitment to inclusivity. The service is free and open to all parents in Oxfordshire. OXPIP welcomes mothers, fathers, single parents, same-sex couples, and families from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds. Each year, the organisation supports over 350 families, with 73% reporting improvements in their situation and 91% seeing enhanced relationships with their infants.

The therapeutic support provided by OXPIP is adapted to meet the specific needs of each family. Through parent-infant sessions, families work with a therapist to explore their emotions and past experiences that may affect their relationships. One of the techniques used is “Watch, Wait and Wonder”, where parents observe and respond to their baby’s cues to gain a deeper understanding of their child’s needs. Another approach, Video Interaction Guidance, involves reviewing recorded interactions to help parents build confidence in their ability to connect with their child.

All therapists at OXPIP are fully qualified psychotherapists or counsellors with additional training in parent-infant work. They operate under a professional Code of Ethics and receive regular supervision to ensure the highest standards of care.

In addition to supporting families, OXPIP provides training and consultancy for professionals in healthcare, social services, and education. This includes sharing expertise in attachment theory and infant mental health. The organisation also advocates for early intervention at both local and national levels, contributing to policy discussions that aim to improve outcomes for children and families.

OXPIP’s services are available to all parents, from those who have experienced difficult childhoods or traumatic births to those struggling with anxiety, depression, or uncertainty about their new role. By offering a direct self-referral system, OXPIP ensures that parents can easily access support when they need it most.

For parents in Oxfordshire experiencing difficulties bonding with their infant, OXPIP is a valuable resource. Their website provides more information on how to access their services. In a time when the demands of new parenthood are often underestimated, OXPIP provides a vital service, helping families to build healthy, secure relationships from the outset.

Find out more about OXPIP here: https://oxpip.org.uk/

Written by Jaime Hewett,

OCVA Development Officer