Title: Video Interaction Guidance (V.I.G.) in perinatal period: Promoting maternal role and enhancing mother –infant attuned interactions.

Abstract:

Transition to motherhood is one of the most challenging periods in one woman’s life. Baby’s needs in conjuction with mother’s ambivalent feelings about matrescense excuse maternal anxiety and cause doubts about her sufficiency as a mother. This situation afflicts mother-child relationship and attachment. Especially, in cases where the mother has mental difficulties or/and an unsupportive environment. Early intervention is required, due to the fundamental stage of their relationship and the critical period on child’s development. Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) is a brief, strenghs-based, effective intervention focuses on the exceptional moments in parent-child interaction. Moments of interaction are captured and microanalyzed. During a “shared review” mother and VIG practitioner reflect on selected clips. Through a scaffolding, non-judgmental discussion, mother feels empowered and sufficient in her maternal role. Shortly, mother and baby achieve an attuned interaction which “magically” reinforce good changes. VIG is recognized from NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) and from the Cross Party Manifesto “The 1001 Critical Days” in UK. Working with mothers and babies more than 15 years in different settings and for various issues, I sustain that the majority of mothers need practical and/or emotional help during perinatal period in order to feel confidence in their new role. VIG method gives me the opportunity to combine my occupations (midwifery and psychology) in an tailored and personalized way for each family. In this conference, I have the intention to present my experience as a VIG practitoner in my country.

Biography:

Chryssa Ekizoglou is working as a freelancer Midwife, M.Sc, Psychologist, B.Sc. and Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) Practitioner. Last decade, she is working for the National Initiative for Breastfeeding Promotion. She is a Ph.D candidate at the Medical School of Athens under the guidance of Prof. Zervas Ioannis (Director of the Women’s Mental Health Clinic). For her dissertation she is working on the applicability of VIG method for parents and children in Greece. In 2022, she published at the Infant Mental Health Journal.