Dr. Jayne M. Singer, PhD IECMH-E®

Psychologist | Clinical

300 Longwood Ave Boston MA, 02115 Show map

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About

Dr. Singer is a clinical psychologist and Endorsed® Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Clinical Mentor with over 40 years of of experience working in hospital, school, and community-based programs serving children and families with relationship-based neurodevelopmental evaluation, family systems, and psychotherapeutic care. At the Brazelton Touchpoints Center in the Division of Developmental Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, she serves as Director of Clinical Training. She conducts continuous national and international teaching and intensive reflective mentoring of the Brazelton Touchpoints Approach and the Newborn Behavioral Observations system. She is Past President of the Massachusetts Association for Infant Mental Health and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School.

Education and Training

St. John's University PhD in Clinical Psychology 1990

University of New York BA in Psychology and Fine Arts 0

Provider Details

Female English

Dr. Jayne M. Singer, PhD IECMH-E®

Dr. Jayne M. Singer, PhD IECMH-E®'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

How can I get over my fears of height?
Hello, There are evidence-based treatments such as progressive exposure therapy for your fear and every reason to believe that you can overcome this. Please look for a cognitive behavioral therapist with expertise in treating specific phobias. You can locate a therapist through the Association for Behavioral & Cognitive Therapy (www.abct.org) and the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (www.adaa.org). READ MORE
What could be the reason my mother is just not eating?
Hello, Grieving is an important and healthy emotional step towards regaining her footing in her new life without your father, and yes, your mother's loss and bereavement could very well be developing into more of a depression. She could start with a check-up with her primary care doctor to address her emotional and physical symptoms. She might also want to consider participating in a bereavement group to be with others who have also experienced loss of their spouses. READ MORE
My mother seems to be obsessed with her health. Is this abnormal
Hello, Please do make sure that your mother has had a thorough medical examination to ensure that all of her symptoms have been addressed by her physician. In the course of that process, her medical doctor can be your ally in trying to figure out whether this is more of an emotional condition and can make referrals accordingly. You don't need to figure it out by yourself. READ MORE
What is the treatment for anorexia?
Hello, Management will depend upon the other symptoms and causes of her anorexia. Start with a thorough medical examination followed by behavioral health treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy to help her manage her symptoms. Medication will depend upon her response to behavioral intervention. READ MORE
My 17 Year Old Daughter Has Bulimia.
Your daughter might consider participating in a group that practices dialectical behavior therapy. READ MORE
Can insomnia be psychological?
Insomnia in a child can be related to so many things, ranging from nutrition to anxiety and social challenges. Please start with a thorough medical examination and updated bloodwork with her pediatrician including some guidance on basic sleep hygiene. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Neurodevelopmental evaluation and consultationPsychological EvaluationDevelopmental, behavioral, relational parent guidancePsychotherapyAutism assessmentNeurodevelopmental disordersChild-Parent PsychotherapyFamily TherapyNewborn Behavioral Observations systemThe Brazelton Touchpoints ApproachInfant and Early Childhood Mental Health clinical practice and mentorship

Faculty Titles & Positions

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry Harvard Medical School 2009 - Present
Instructor in Psychology Harvard Medical School 1991 - 2009
Staff Psychologist Judge Baker Children's Center 1991 - 2001
Attending Staff Psychologist Boston Children's Hospital 1991 - 2001
Senior Attending Staff Psychologist Boston Children's Hospital 2001 - Present
Clinical Administrator Judge Baker Children's Center 1997 - 1998
Clinical Services Co-Director Judge Baker Children's Center 1998 - 1998
Lead Faculty, Early Care and Education Initiative Brazelton Touchpoints Center 1999 - 2018
Clinical Director, Child and Parent Program Developmental Medicine Center at Boston Children's Hospital 2001 - 2018
Director of Developmental and Relational Health Outreach and Programming Brazelton Touchpoints Center 2018 - Present
Director of Clinical Training Brazelton Touchpoints Center 2022 - Present
President Massachusetts Association of Infant Mental Health 2008 - Present
Commissioner MA Post Partum Depression Commission 2019 - Present

Awards

Wong Hock Boon Visiting Professorship in Pediatrics 2013 Singapore National University Hospital Dept. Developmental Pediatrics
Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship Award 2017 Boston Children’s Hospital, Division of Developmental Medicine
Boston Psychologist of the Year Award 2018 Top Doc
William M. Schafer, PhD, Award to Honor Excellence in Reflective Supervision, Leadership and Inspiration 2022 Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health
T. Berry Brazelton Award for Innovation 2023 Boston Children’s Hospital, Division of Developmental Medicine
Heart of Gold Award 2024 Partners in Child Development, MA

Professional Memberships

World Association of Infant Mental Health
American Psychological Association
Massachusetts Association of Infant Mental Health, Birth to Six, Inc.
Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health
Zero to Three

Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors

Save Mashpee-Wakeby Pond Alliance

Treatments

Psychotherapeutic consultation, treatment, and evaluation services that integrate developmental-behavioral-relational, trauma-informed, and IECMH principles and strategies of care; all informed by the Touchpoints Approach as the How of Child and Family Engagement.

Internships

See above

Fellowships

See above

Professional Society Memberships

See above

Professional Affiliations

See above

Articles and Publications

My earliest research focused on the interplay of affective and cognitive processes during infancy. This burgeoned over time to include inquiry into effects of medical conditions and interventions upon neurodevelopment, and the evaluation of effects of strengths-based developmental-relational care upon families. Sample list: 1. Ohr PS, Fagen JW, Fleckenstein LK, Singer JM. Stimulus specificity in the reactivation of infant memory. Developmental Psychology. 1986;10:505-512. 2. Fagen JW, Singer JM, Ohr PS, Fleckenstein LK. Infant temperament and performance on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 4, 8, and 12 months of age. Infant Behavior and Development. 1987;10:505-512. 3. Fagen JW, Ohr PS, Singer JM, Fleckenstein LK. Infant temperament and subject loss due to crying during operant conditioning. Child Development. 1987;(58):497-504. 4. Fagen JW, Ohr PS, Singer JM, Klein SJ. Crying and Retrograde Amnesia in Young Infants. Infant Behavior and Development. 1989;(12):13-24. 5. Singer JM, and Fagen JW. Negative affect, emotional expression, and forgetting in young infants. Developmental Psychology. 1992;(28):48-57. 6. Singer JM. The Brazelton Touchpoints Approach to Infants and Toddlers in Care: Foundation for a Lifetime of Learning and Loving. Dimensions of Early Childhood. 2007;3(35):4-10. 7. Singer, JM and Hornstein, J. The Touchpoints Approach to the Training of Early Care and Education Providers. In Lester, BM and Sparrow, JD (Eds). Nurturing Children and Families: Building on the Legacy of T. Berry Brazelton. Wiley-Blackwell. Malden, MA 20108. Butler SC, Sadhwani A, Stopp C, Singer J, Wypij D, DunbarMasterson C, et al. Neurodevelopmental assessment of infants with congenital heart disease in the early postoperative period. Congenital heart disease. 2019;14(2):236-45.9. Brito, A., Xavier, M.R., Azevedo, N., Santo, J.E., Teixeira, L., Fareleira, F., Tinoco, J., & Singer, J. (2023). Dialogues with parents -parental support and empowerment program based on the Touchpoints Model. Frontiers in Education, Sec. Educational Psychology, Volume 8, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.125113010. Hewlett Nol, W., Raimon, M.L., Morton, S.J., Hsu-Rodriguez, L., Singer, J. (2023) DULCE: Addressing Social Determinants of Health by Connecting Families to Concrete Supports as a Primary Prevention Approach to Child Welfare. Child Welfare Journal Special Issues. 100(6). https://www.cwla.org/child-welfare-journal/cwj-featured-issues/

What do you attribute your success to?

Family members who valued education as an essential route for descendants of immigrants.

Areas of research

See Above

Awards

See Above

Teaching and speaking

Frequent invited local, regional, national, and international teaching and public speaking engagement on topics related to child development, family systems health, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, mental health disorders, Touchpoints Approach, Developmental Trauma, Post Partum Mood Disorders, Developmental screening and evaluation,

Favorite Place to Vacation

Beaches

Hobbies / Sports

Swimming!Visual Arts (drawing, painting, collage, mosaic)Event baking

Favorite professional publications

WAIMH Journal of Infant Mental Health

Areas of research

Neurodevelopmental outcomes for children after medical complexity (e.g., Congenital Heart Disease)

Efficacy of strengths-based, relational care implementation

Dr. Jayne M. Singer, PhD IECMH-E®'s Practice location

Practice At 300 Longwood Ave Fegan 10

300 Longwood Ave -
Boston, MA 02115

Get Direction

www.brazeltontouchpoints.org

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

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Media Releases

Innovative Programs for Early Childhood Mental Health and Developmental Support Transform Lives in the Community

A distinguished clinical psychologist with over four decades of experience dedicated to improving the mental health and developmental outcomes for children and families, Dr. Singer is a Senior Attending Psychologist at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) in Massachusetts. She specializes in providing comprehensive evaluations and treatments for children from birth through childhood, addressing a broad spectrum of challenges including medical, developmental, emotional, behavioral, and familial issues, particularly those arising from trauma.

As a Past President of the Massachusetts Association for Infant Mental Health, she has played a crucial role in advancing early detection and intervention initiatives. At BCH, she co-launched the Early Detection of Autism Program and the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program, both of which have set benchmarks for early intervention in pediatric care.

Pertaining to her educational pursuits, Dr. Singer earned her BA in Psychology and Fine Arts from the State University of New York, College at Purchase, and her PhD in Clinical Psychology with a Child and Family Specialization from St. John’s University. She is also credentialed as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Clinical Mentor, emphasizing culturally sensitive, relationship-based care.

In her academic role as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, she also serves as an International Facilitator of the Brazelton Touchpoints Approach and the Newborn Behavioral Observations (NBO) system, ensuring that her research and clinical practices are at the forefront of infant mental health.

At the Brazelton Touchpoints Center, Dr. Singer spearheaded the Early Care and Education Initiative, adapting the Touchpoints Approach to enhance preventive social-emotional health within early education settings. This initiative laid the groundwork for the Tribal Touchpoints Initiative and the Office of Head Start National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement. Her innovative adaptations of the Touchpoints Approach have significantly supported families dealing with developmental challenges, substance use disorders, and mental health issues.

An accomplished author, she has contributed extensively to the field with her publications, including the "Touchpoints in Early Care and Education Reference Guide" and the "Touchpoints in Reflective Practice" guides, which serve as vital resources for practitioners and mentors.