IN THE BEGINNING,
THERE WAS THE RELATIONSHIP.

About Gerard Costa, Ph.D.

Gerard Costa, Ph. D., is a passionate expert in infant and early childhood mental health and neurodiversity. His work emphasizes the critical importance of human attachment and attuned, consistent, predictable, reliable, co-regulating, and loving caregiving relationships for healthy social, emotional, and cognitive development in infants and young children. As a leader and advocate for infant and early childhood mental health, he has developed professional formation centers, and has authored and contributed to scholarly articles, books, and programs. His devotion to improving the lives of infants, young children, and their families is deeply rooted in his belief that the parent-child relationship, and ALL relationships, are vital for positive mental health and well-being in all developmental domains.

Services

Lectures and Keynotes

Dr. Gerard Costa is passionate and practical in his keynote addresses and presentations on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and developmental/relational approaches. Gerry imparts profound insights into the unfolding nature of human attachment, infant development, and multidisciplinary professional formation. He offers current insights into our understanding of individual differences and support for neurodiverse individuals, emphasizing the unique needs and abilities of those on the autism spectrum in infancy and throughout the lifespan. He has developed and published about a model of Professional Formation that describes three core ways of development: Ways of Knowing, Ways of Doing and Ways of Being-with. Dr. Costa has presented in 31 states and 12 countries.

Strategic Planning

Gerard Costa, Ph.D., offers expert consulting services to guide infant and early childhood mental health organizations, systems, and initiatives. With a wealth of experience, Dr. Costa assists organizations in crafting strategic plans, identifying critical success factors, developing public/private partnerships, and identifying actionable steps to enhance their effectiveness and impact. His insightful approach cultivates a shared vision for development and well-being surrounding the earliest years of development. Dr. Costa has contributed to IECMH statewide systems' development and strategic planning in New Jersey, Wyoming, South Dakota and Missouri.

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Professional Mentoring

Dr. Gerard Costa offers individual, group, and team mentoring for professionals in infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) and neurodiversity. He is a licensed developmental psychologist and an endorsed IMH clinical mentor in reflective supervision and consultation. He is a DIRFloortime Training Leader and holds a Certificate in Self-Reg. He works with multidisciplinary teams and staff at all infant and early childhood mental health and development levels. Dr. Costa has worked and published in infant mental health, autism, reflective practices, and professional formation. He founded two IECMH Professional Development Centers.

Training & Consultation

Gerard Costa, Ph.D., offers workshops, short-term and long-term professional development programs, including one-day and multi-day intensive seminars, and ongoing training and consultation programs. Dr. Costa has developed a model of IECHM training and reflective consultation for Early Intervention Programs and infant/toddler/early childhood programs and centers. He has worked to promote full inclusion of children with developmental and learning difficulties so that they are supported alongside their same-aged peers.

(Gerry) is a man of extraordinary kindness and compassion, combined with an incredible mind, outstanding clinical gifts, and a ceaseless passion to make the world a better place for all children. He is a world leader in the study and treatment of autism and an inspiring public speaker. He has lit up our Summer Symposium for several years with his wisdom and grace.
I count him as one of my most trusted friends...

Dr. Stuart G. Shanker

Dr. Costa has co-edited a new book!

Great news! Keep an eye out for the latest book that Dr. Costa co-edited, Two Perspectives, One Child: Unifying the Pyramid Model and Infant Mental Health from Paul Brookes Publishing. He collaborated with co-editors Lana Nenide, Kate Wasserman, Neal Horen, and Rob Corso. The book explores the integration of Infant Mental Health (IMH) and the Pyramid Model (PM). It aims to bridge the gap between these two frameworks, showcasing their compatibility and how they can mutually enrich each other.