This paper provides an overview of basic Marte Meo video interaction guidance concepts and describes the therapeutic performance of the method applied in the context of early mother-infant interaction and postnatal depression. Weight is put upon the importance of the therapeutic relationship. Further Marte Meo therapy is understood in the light of Daniel Stern's theory of 'schemas of being with' and accompanied by clinical vignettes from therapy sessions. The empirical basis for the paper is a study of postnatal depression, mother-infant interaction and video guidance, carried out in Southern Norway. The study examined Marte Meo from a phenomenological perspective. Marte Meo was offered to mothers with either postnatal depression or depressive symptoms. In in-depth interviews the participants reported that the Marte Meo method, 'from the outside looking in', increased their reflections about their infants and their own mental states as well as their sensitive interaction with their newborn. Their mothering was improved and they reported feeling less depressed. We argue that Marte Meo methodology can guide new mothers with depressive symptoms, and contribute to the creation of new schemas of being together.

Our study shows that acceptability for routine screening with EPDS amongst health visitors is possible to achieve.

Fifteen mothers displaying depressive symptoms six weeks after giving birth were recruited from a health centre and participated in a study using the Marte Meo intervention method. Subsequent findings were promising; the mothers' viewing their interaction with their babies seemed to be the key to facilitating selfreflection, a renewed sense of vitality and increased capacity for mentalisation. This viewing thus had an overall positive influence on increasing sensitive mother-child interaction and decreasing maternal depressive symptoms. A conceptual model is outlined.

BackgroundEarly parent- child relations play an important role in children’s development. Therapeutic intervention towards infants and toddlers at high-risk intends to prevent mental health problems. In this work, the parent-child-dyad is crucial. The video interaction guidance method, Marte Meo, is one among different methods used in attachment-based treatment in an outpatient infant mental health clinic. Parental sensitivity towards infants and toddlers needs is considered significant in developing secure attachment. Secure attachment is further considered decisive for mental health and the extent to which children are at risk of developing mental health problems. Different treatment methods aim at strengthening parents’ sensitivity. This study’s purpose was to gain further understanding about parent’s experiences with Marte Meo – therapy and highlight the importance for parental sensitivity.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional phenomenological hermeneutical study. Four biological parents of three infants and toddlers aged 0–20 months who received Marte Meo- therapy in a clinical context were selected. Data was collected using semi structured interviews.ResultsThis article presents the study’s key-finding; we suggest that sensitivity increases. The key components of this are: watching edited video interaction in a therapeutic context, emotional activation, mutuality, self-esteem / self-confidence and reflective function. These are further elaborated and discussed.ConclusionThe findings indicate that Marte Meo contributes to facilitate development-supportive interaction, strengthen parental sensitivity, emotional availability, reflective functioning and coping - experience.

IntroductionPostnatal depression as well as postnatal depressive symptoms may have detrimental effects in offspring.ObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to examine the nature of the video interaction guidance method Marte Meo offered new mothers experiencing depression or depressive symptoms.AimThe aim was to develop knowledge to be utilised in care in order to prevent sufferings for mothers, babies and their families.MethodsFifteen mothers were recruited from a health centre. They took part in Marte Meo guidance and in-depth interviews.ResultsAll mothers experienced Marte Meo in a positive manner, the main point being that they viewed their babies and/or themselves in the videos “from the outside looking in”. This seemed to be the key to facilitating reflection, a renewed sense of vitality and increased capacity for mentalisation. This viewing thus had an overall positive influence on increasing sensitive mother-child interaction and decreasing maternal depressive symptoms as well as facilitating a mentalisation process in the participating mothers, increasing their ability to reflect on their own and others state of mind and in turn recognise their babies as subjects. The results are applied in both community and specialist health services.ConclusionMarte Meo may be a helpful method and can also be administrated on a community-based level where the threshold for seeking help is a low one.