Clinical Development Institute
RAISING THE BAR FOR CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
Designed for Professionals
Whether you're a solo practitioner or part of a multidisciplinary team, PSAD is built to support the work you’re already doing. Clinicians across mental health, allied health, bodywork, lactation, counselling, and education use PSAD to deepen their developmental understanding and offer safer, more responsive care.
What You'll Gain:
✔️ 60 Continued Professional Development credits
✔️ Flexible, online training
✔️ Accredited curriculum
✔️ Evidence-informed, attachment-rooted approach
✔️ Deep clinical insight into sleep, neurodevelopment, and attachment science
✔️ Practical tools for real-world application
✔️ Designed for individual clinicians or full clinic teams
✔️ Aligned with current neuroscience and infant mental health research
✔️ Built to complement your existing clinical frameworks
✔️ Join a growing global community of practitioners committed to evidence-informed, family-centred care
✔️ Trusted by practitioners across health, mental health, and early years care
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What Clinicians Are Saying
100% of practitioners rated PSAD 5 stars and said they would recommend it to a colleague.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “It has made me a more compassionate provider. More knowledgeable, backed by research and helping families one mother-baby dyad at a time in a private practice clinical setting."
— KC, Chiropractor⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I absolutely loved this program and have learned so much."
— Kelly, Kinesiologist
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Enrolment Options for You or Your Team
We offer tailored enrolment packages to suit individual clinicians and different-sized clinic teams, and clinics benefit from reduced pricing per enrolment.
Each package is designed to support your practice structure, budget, and professional development goals.
Clinical Pediatric Sleep and Development Certification
Clinical Pediatric Sleep and Development Certification
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Bridging scientific theory with real-life application
Balancing both theory and practical application, each module is carefully designed to equip you with the depth of knowledge and practical skills to offer the most up-to-date, evidenced and safe guidance for the families you support.
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Internationally Recognised & Accredited
Accredited by the world's largest Continued Professional Development provider, this certification will offer both continued education credits and peace of mind that your learning journey is fully verified and endorsed.
Inside the Program Curriculum
Explore the PSAD Curriculum
Sleep Anthropology
This module will walk you through the historical, cultural and social context of sleep and development.
Your learning will be supported by guest speakers, Dr Deborah MacNamara and Dr Sophie Brock.
Neurological Development
Within this module, you'll learn about the foundations of the nervous system, synaptic development and the roles of stress and attachment on the developing brain.
Your learning will be supported by guest speaker, Dr Greer Kirshenbaum.
Sleep Science
Within this module, you'll learn the anatomy, architecture and function of sleep, and progress to distinguish biologically normal infant sleep from paediatric sleep disorders, all while centering the science of safe sleep.
This module's learning is supported by guest speaker, Professor Helen Ball.
Perinatal and Infant Mental Health
Designed in alignment with Infant Mental Health frameworks, this module will equip you with a deep understanding of the fundamental P-IMH principles to best-support your professional practice.
Your guest speakers for this component of the curriculum are Fiona Rogerson and Crystal Miles.
Attachment Science
This module offers a deep dive into Attachment Science; from the fundamentals of attachment theory to measuring attachment outcomes, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how secure attachments lay the foundation for healthy development.
Your learning will be supported by guest speaker, Rachel Samson.
Sensitivity and Temperament
Within this module, you'll learn the biological foundations of sensitivity and temperament, and how individual differences can impact sleep and development trajectories.
This module's learning is supported by guest speakers Dr Aoife Durcan and Kelly Mahler.
Infant Feeding
This module will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between infant feeding and pediatric sleep and development.
Covering the biology of feeding patterns, the association between feeding challenges and sleep challenges, and the introduction of solids and night weaning, the lessons within this module are deigned to support your holistic practice and approach.
This module's learning is supported by Maggie Rajtar-Sullivan and Dr
Nora Ghodousi-Zaghi.
Advanced Sleep Solutions
This module will equip you with advanced strategies and methodologies for addressing common pediatric sleep challenges.
Guided by evidence-based practices and real-world case studies, you'll learn how to apply the science of sleep, attachment and development in practical and family-centered terms.
Working With Families
In this module, you'll learn essential skills for effective client communication and support.
Through detailed case studies, you'll be able to fine-tune your skillset and tailor your approach to meet the diverse needs of the families you support.
Business Development and Ethics
In this module, you'll learn how to build and grow an ethical and sustainable business in Pediatric Sleep and Development.
You'll develop the skills and 'business toolkit' necessary to thrive as a Pediatric Sleep and Development Specialist, making a meaningful impact in the lives of families while building and progressing a successful and fulfilling career.
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Dr. Cline, Pediatrics, Pregnancy & Women's Health
"The material can be implemented and applied in practice immediately with patients, which I love."
Your Expert team
Guided by experts, from start to finish
As course Director, Louise will guide your learning journey.
Louise is a mom of two, Pediatric Sleep and Development Specialist, P-IMH Specialist and Lactation Consultant.
A member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Louise certified in Sleep Science via the University of Western Australia and was awarded her infant feeding credentials via the Interstate Post-Graduate medical board.
Louise certified in Perinatal and Infant Mental Health at Warwick Medical School, and has since expanded her practice internationally, as founder of Mother Nourish Nurture.
FAQs
Is this certification accredited?
Yes, via a robust third-party assessment and accreditation process with the world's leading Continued Professional Development service.
Recognized independent accreditation, compatible with global CPD requirements, means that the program has reached the required Continuing Professional Development standards and benchmarks, and the learning value has been scrutinised to ensure integrity and quality.
Will I earn CPD/CE credits?
Yes! The certification provides 60 globally-recognised Continued Professional Development/Continued Education credits, and upon on completion, each practitioner receives a formal certificate for their professional development records.
Who is the PSAD Certification designed for?
This program is designed for clinicians, allied health professionals, mental health practitioners, lactation consultants, bodyworkers, early years educators, and others working with families in the early years. It is suitable for both solo practitioners and multidisciplinary clinic teams.
How can this training support my clinical practice?
The PSAD Certification strengthens your clinical capacity to offer developmentally aligned, responsive care. You’ll gain deeper insight into sleep science, neurodevelopment, sensory regulation, and infant mental health; all through a lens that complements your existing therapeutic framework.
Who delivers the curriculum?
The program is led by Course Director Louise Herbert, a Pediatric Sleep and Development Specialist, P-IMH Specialist, and Lactation Consultant. Louise is joined by a team of expert guest speakers offering specialist insights across topics such as perinatal trauma, attachment, infant feeding, and neurobiology.
Your speakers include:
- Dr Deborah MacNamara, speaking on infant development.
- Professor Helen Ball speaking on infant sleep.
- Dr Greer Kirshenbaum, speaking on neurological development.
- Rachel Samson, speaking on attachment science.
- Dr Sophie Brock, speaking on the social construct of motherhood.
- Dr Aoife Durcan, speaking on Sensitivity.
- Dr Nora Ghodousi-Zaghi, speaking on tongue ties, airways and oral function.
- Maggie Rajtar-Sullivan, speaking on infant feeding.
- Fiona Rogerson, speaking on birth trauma and perinatal mental health.
- Crystal Miles, speaking on infant massage.
- Kelly Mahler, speaking on interoception.
What is the format of the program?
The PSAD Certification is delivered 100% online and is entirely self-paced. Clinicians can complete the training around their existing caseloads and timeframes.
How long does it take to complete the certification?
Most clinicians complete the program within 16 weeks, via part-time study. This encompasses roughly 4 hours per week of active learning, though the program is entirely self-paced.
You will have a full calendar year to complete the certification, and extensions are available by request.
We want to take the stress out of learning, so that you can focus on furthering your knowledge and skillset to best-support your clients.
How will my learning be assessed?
Learning is assessed and verified via multiple-choice assessments and one final written assignment.
A pass mark of 70% is needed to complete the course, and you will have the opportunity to re-take any assessments that fall short of this benchmark.
What are the enrolment options for clinics?
We offer three enrolment options:
- Individual Practitioner
- Small Clinic Team (2–3 team members)
- Full Clinic Team (up to 6 team members)
For larger teams, we can tailor a package to meet your clinic’s needs.
Can we arrange a team package or group enrolment?
Yes. Clinics can enrol multiple team members at once and receive coordinated access, certificates, and support. We’re happy to discuss the best enrolment fit for your clinic.
Is there a payment plan available?
Yes. We offer flexible payment options to support both individuals and clinics.
When can my team get started?
Right away. Enrolment is open year-round, and your team will receive access on the same day as registration.
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Self-paced and fully-resourced, the PSAD certification offers everything you need in one complete package.
