Claudia M. Gold MD
Pediatrician • Infant-Parent Mental Health Specialist • Author • Teacher • Speaker
Coming Spring 2025
Getting to Know You
Lessons in Early Relational Health from Infants and Caregivers
Reviews
Listening to parent and baby together using the Newborn Behavioral Observations (NBO) system
Quotes from My Books
From "The Power of Discord"
As I shifted from asking questions and giving advice and instead simply listened, I saw families move from anger and disconnection, sometimes through deep sadness, and then to moments of reconnection. A young child would spontaneously run into her mother’s arms to receive a hug. Often I felt a tingling in my arms, and my eyes filled with tears in the presence of rediscovered joy and love.
From "The Silenced Child"
When we don’t listen, whether as a parent, friend, or professional, most often it is because we are overwhelmed... We want to help, but we feel helpless. We want to “do something.” But without listening, these jumps to action may inadvertently close off, or silence, a child’s communication. When we pause for a moment of human connection and communication, we discover a path to healing.
From "The Developmental Science of Early Childhood "
When a clinician makes time to listen to the story from an infant mental health frame, clinician and client have an opportunity to understand the behavior in its relational and developmental context. Behavior is a form of communication. When we understand that communication, we discover the meaning of the behavior. The path to healing becomes clear.
From "Keeping Your Child in Mind"
If we as a culture hold parents in mind, that is, instead of telling them “what to do,” listen to them and support their efforts to “be” with their child and understand her experience, we not only will help with “behavior problems,” but we may actually help to promote healthy brain development.