Healing as a Team Sport with Nicola Doherty DClinPsych PhD

In this enlightening conversation, Mary and the distinguished Nicola Doherty PhD from Northern Ireland delve into the profound impact of compassionate relationships in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). They discuss the importance of trauma-informed care, the role of parents in the healing process, and the transformative power of small interventions in neonatal care. With scientific insights and touching real-life anecdotes, Nicola illustrates how fostering compassionate connections between healthcare providers, infants, and parents can significantly enhance both short-term and long-term outcomes for families. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of self-care for healthcare professionals and proposes practical strategies for incorporating compassion and connection into clinical practice.

 

00:00 Introduction to Nicola Doherty

00:11 The Science of Compassionate Relationships

01:30 Modifiable Factors in Infant Care

03:39 Disruptors and Interrupters in Development

07:15 Parental Empowerment in NICU

16:29 Long-term Impact of Family-focused Interventions

23:37 The Power of Relationships and Compassion

34:50 Self-Compassion and Staff Well-being

43:44 Final Thoughts and Reflections

RESOURCES

1. Campbell, N., Adair, P., Doherty, N., McCormack, D., & Walsh, A. (2025). A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines for the assessment and management of pain in neonates. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 31(2), 101603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2024.12.006. [OPEN ACCESS]

2. Doherty. N.N. & McCusker, C.G. (2016) 'The Congenital Heart disease Intervention Program (CHIP) and interventions in infancy' In: Congenital Heart Disease and Neurodevelopment: Understanding and Improving Outcomes. London: Elsevier Academic press.

3. Hollie Rose (August 31, 2021). All those Yesterdays - Hollie-Rose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi-uUbszGQ0. [MUST VIEW]

3. Long, D.A., Waak, M., Doherty, N.N., & Dow, B.L. (2022). Brain-directed care: why neuroscience principles direct PICU management beyond the ABCs. Children, 9(12), 1938; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9121938. [OPEN ACCESS]

4. McCusker, C.G., Doherty, N.N., Molloy, B., Rooney, N., Mulholland, C., Sands, A., Craig, B., Stewart, M., & Casey, F. (2010). A controlled trial of early interventions to promote maternal adjustment and development in infants born with severe congenital heart disease. Child, 36(1), 110-117. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.01026.x .

5. Sprouts (December 1, 2021). Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems: 5 Forces Impacting Our Lives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6pUQ4EDHeQ. [MUST VIEW]

6. Suarez, C., Adair, P., Doherty, N., & McCormack, D. (2022). Exploring adjustment and parent–infant relations in mothers of premature infants: thematic analysis using a multisensory approach. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 47(7), 827-839. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsac007. [OPEN ACCESS]

7. Tong, P. & An, I.S. (2024). Review of studies applying Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory in international and intercultural education research. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1233925. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233