Published Work
Mothering from the Inside Out (MIO) was developed over 20-years ago based on decades of research on attachment, parental reflective functioning, and mentalization.
Multiple randomized clinical trials have demonstrated MIO’s efficacy at improving parental reflective functioning, parenting behavior, the quality of the parent-child relationship, and even parental depression & substance use
Take a look below at the research conducted by our team to learn more about the evidence behind MIO.
2025
Peacock-Chambers, E., Jurkowski, B., Kangas, S., DeCoste, C., McMahon, T., Borelli, J., Feinberg, E., Byatt, N., Zayde, A., Lowell, A., & Friedmann, P. (In press). Home-based family recovery supports: Feasibility and acceptability of training home-visitors in “Mothering from the Inside Out.” Infant Mental Health Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.70019
2024
Peacock-Chambers, E., Pillai, R. L., Jurkowski, B. L., Kangas, S., Borelli, J. L., Feinberg, E., ... & Byatt, N. (2024). The impact of COVID on Early Intervention parenting support for mothers in recovery from substance use disorder. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 33(5), 1483-1492. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-024-02833-y
Shin, J. Y., McMahon, T. J., Penner, F., & Lowell, A. (2024). Maternal childhood trauma, caregiving behavior, and child cognitive development in the context of drug addiction. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000802
2023
Lowell, A., DeCoste, C., Dalton, R., Dias, H., Martino, S., McMahon, T. J., & Suchman, N. E. (2023). Mothering from the Inside Out: Results of a community-based randomized efficacy trial testing a mentalization-based parenting intervention for mothers with addictions. Infant Mental Health Journal, 44(2), 142-165. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.22043
Lowell, A., Suchman, N. E., Byatt, N., Feinberg, E., Friedmann, P., & Peacock-Chambers, E. (2023). Parental substance use and home visiting programs: Implementation considerations for relationship-based treatment. Infant Mental Health Journal, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.22041
Peacock-Chambers, E., Clark, M. C., Moran, M., Lowell, A., & Zayde, A. (2023). Training home visitors in mentalization-based practice: A qualitative case study of clinical supervision in Mothering from the Inside Out. Infant Mental Health Journal, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.22039
2022
Lowell, A. F., Yatziv, T., Peacock-Chambers, E., Zayde, A., DeCoste, C., Suchman, N., & McMahon, T. J. (2022). Reflective functioning in mothers with addictions: Differential relationships involving family history of mental illness and substance use. Frontiers in Psychology, 13.
Peacock-Chambers, E., Buckley, D., Lowell, A., Clark, M. C., Suchman, N., Friedmann, P., Byatt, N., & Feinberg, E. (2022). Relationship-based home visiting services for families affected by substance use disorders: A qualitative study. Journal of Child and Family Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02313-1
2021
Lowell, A. F., Peacock-Chambers, E., Zayde, A., DeCoste, C. L., McMahon, T. J., & Suchman, N. E. (2021). Mothering from the Inside Out: Addressing the Intersection of Addiction, Adversity, and Attachment with Evidence-Based Parenting Intervention. Current Addiction Reports, 1-11.
Zayde, A., Kilbride, A., Kucer, A., Willis, H. A., Nikitiades, A., Alpert, J., & Gabbay, V. (2021). Connection During COVID-19: Pilot Study of a Telehealth Group Parenting Intervention. American Journal of Psychotherapy.
Zayde, A., Prout, T. A., Kilbride, A., & Kufferath-Lin, T. (2021). The Connecting and Reflecting Experience (CARE): theoretical foundation and development of mentalizing-focused parenting groups. Attachment & Human Development, 23(3), 293-309.
2020
Suchman, N., Berg, A., Abrahams, L., Abrahams, T., Adams, A., Cowley, B., ... & Voges, J. (2020). Mothering from the Inside Out: Adapting an evidence-based intervention for high-risk mothers in the Western Cape of South Africa. Development and psychopathology, 32(1), 105-122.
Suchman, N. E., Borelli, J. L., & DeCoste, C. L. (2020). Can addiction counselors be trained to deliver Mothering from the Inside Out, a mentalization-based parenting therapy, with fidelity? Results from a community-based randomized efficacy trial. Attachment & Human Development, 22(3), 332-351.
Peacock-Chambers, E., Friedmann, P., Byatt, N., Suchman, N., & Feinberg, E. (2020). Using Failure Modes and Effects Analysis to Guide Adaptation of an Evidence-Based Parenting Program for Mothers with Substance Use Disorders. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 4(s1), 151-152.
Peacock-Chambers, E., Feinberg, E., Senn-McNally, M., Clark, M. C., Jurkowski, B., Suchman, N. E., ... & Friedmann, P. D. (2020). Engagement in early intervention services among mothers in recovery from opioid use disorders. Pediatrics, 145(2).
2019
Bosk, E. A., Paris, R., Hanson, K. E., Ruisard, D., & Suchman, N. E. (2019). Innovations in child welfare interventions for caregivers with substance use disorders and their children. Children and youth services review, 101, 99-112.
Alvarez-Monjarás, M., McMahon, T. J., & Suchman, N. E. (2019). Does maternal reflective functioning mediate associations between representations of caregiving with maternal sensitivity in a high-risk sample?. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 36(1), 82.
2018
Suchman, N. E., DeCoste, C., Borelli, J. L., & McMahon, T. J. (2018). Does improvement in maternal attachment representations predict greater maternal sensitivity, child attachment security and lower rates of relapse to substance use? A second test of Mothering from the Inside Out treatment mechanisms. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 85, 21-30.
Ordway, M., McMahon, T. J., De Las Heras Kuhn, L., & Suchman, N. E. (2018). Implementation of an evidenced‐based parenting program in a community mental health setting. Infant Mental Health Journal, 39(1), 92-105.
Suchman, N. E., & DeCoste, C. L. (2018). Substance abuse and addiction: Implications for early relationships and interventions. Zero to three, 38(5), 17.
2017
Suchman, N. E., DeCoste, C. L., McMahon, T. J., Dalton, R., Mayes, L. C., & Borelli, J. (2017). Mothering From the Inside Out: Results of a second randomized clinical trial testing a mentalization-based intervention for mothers in addiction treatment. Development and Psychopathology, 29(2), 617-636.
2016
Suchman, N. E., Ordway, M. R., de Las Heras, L., & McMahon, T. J. (2016). Mothering from the Inside Out: results of a pilot study testing a mentalization-based therapy for mothers enrolled in mental health services. Attachment & Human Development, 18(6), 596-617.
Suchman, N. E. (2016). Mothering from the Inside Out: A mentalization-based therapy for mothers in treatment for drug addiction. International journal of birth and parent education, 3(4), 19.
2012
Suchman, N. E., Decoste, C., Rosenberger, P., & McMahon, T. J. (2012). Attachment‐based intervention for substance‐using mothers: A preliminary test of the proposed mechanisms of change. Infant mental health journal, 33(4), 360-371.
2011
Suchman, N. E., Decoste, C., Mcmahon, T. J., Rounsaville, B., & Mayes, L. (2011). The mothers and toddlers program, an attachment‐based parenting intervention for substance‐using women: Results at 6‐week follow‐up in a randomized clinical pilot. Infant Mental Health Journal, 32(4), 427-449.
2010
Suchman, N. E., DeCoste, C., Castiglioni, N., McMahon, T. J., Rounsaville, B., & Mayes, L. (2010). The Mothers and Toddlers Program, an attachment-based parenting intervention for substance using women: Post-treatment results from a randomized clinical pilot. Attachment & Human Development, 12(5), 483-504.
Suchman, N. E., DeCoste, C., Leigh, D., & Borelli, J. (2010). Reflective functioning in mothers with drug use disorders: Implications for dyadic interactions with infants and toddlers. Attachment & Human Development, 12(6), 567-585.
2008
Suchman, N., DeCoste, C., Castiglioni, N., Legow, N., & Mayes, L. (2008). The Mothers and Toddlers Program: Preliminary findings from an attachment-based parenting intervention for substance-abusing mothers. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 25(3), 499.
Pajulo, M., Suchman, N., Kalland, M., Sinkkonen, J., Helenius, H., & Mayes, L. (2008). Role of maternal reflective ability for substance abusing mothers. Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health, 23(1), 13.
Suchman, N., McMahon, T., DeCoste, C., Castiglioni, N., & Luthar, S. (2008). Ego development, psychopathology, and parenting problems in substance‐abusing mothers. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 78(1), 20-28.
2007
Suchman, N. E., Rounsaville, B., DeCoste, C., & Luthar, S. (2007). Parental control, parental warmth, and psychosocial adjustment in a sample of substance-abusing mothers and their school-aged and adolescent children. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 32(1), 1-10.
McMahon, T. J., Winkel, J. D., Suchman, N. E., & Rounsaville, B. J. (2007). Drug-abusing fathers: Patterns of pair bonding, reproduction, and paternal involvement. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 33(3), 295-302.
2006
Suchman, N., Pajulo, M., DeCoste, C., & Mayes, L. (2006). Parenting Interventions for drug‐dependent mothers and their young children: the case for an attachment‐based approach. Family Relations, 55(2), 211-226.
Suchman, N. E., McMahon, T. J., Zhang, H., Mayes, L. C., & Luthar, S. (2006). Substance-abusing mothers and disruptions in child custody: An attachment perspective. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 30(3), 197-204.
Pajulo, M., Suchman, N., Kalland, M., & Mayes, L. (2006). Enhancing the effectiveness of residential treatment for substance abusing pregnant and parenting women: Focus on maternal reflective functioning and mother‐child relationship. Infant Mental Health Journal, 27(5), 448-465.
2005
Suchman, N. E., McMahon, T. J., Slade, A., & Luthar, S. S. (2005). How early bonding, depression, illicit drug use, and perceived support work together to influence drug‐dependent mothers' caregiving. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 75(3), 431-445.
2004
Suchman, N., Mayes, L., Conti, J., Slade, A., & Rounsaville, B. (2004). Rethinking parenting interventions for drug-dependent mothers: From behavior management to fostering emotional bonds. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 27(3), 179-185.
Suchman, N. E., McMahon, T. J., & Luthar, S. S. (2004). Interpersonal maladjustment as predictor of mothers’ response to a relational parenting intervention. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 27(2), 135-143.
2002
McMahon, T. J., Winkel, J. D., Suchman, N. E., & Luthar, S. S. (2002). Drug dependence, parenting responsibilities, and treatment history: why doesn't mom go for help?. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 65(2), 105-114.
2001
Suchman, N. E., & Luthar, S. S. (2001). The mediating role of parenting stress in methadone-maintained mothers' parenting. Parenting: Science and Practice, 1(4), 285-315.
2000
Suchman, N. E., & Luthar, S. S. (2000). Maternal addiction, child maladjustment and socio‐demographic risks: implications for parenting behaviors. Addiction, 95(9), 1417-1428.