Michael Trout completed both his undergraduate studies in philosophy and his graduate studies in psychology in Michigan. He completed his specialized training in infant psychiatry at the Child Development Project, University of Michigan School of Medicine, under Prof. Selma Fraiberg.
In the mental health field since 1968, and in private practice since 1979, Mr. Trout directs an institute engaged in research, clinical practice and clinical training related to problems of attachment. He was the founding president of the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health and the International Association for Infant Mental Health, was on the charter Editorial Board of the Infant Mental Health Journal, served as Vice-President for the United States for the World Association for Infant Mental Health, and served on the Board of Directors (and as Editor of the Newsletter) for APPPAH–the international society for prenatal and perinatal psychology.
In addition to publishing a number of book chapters and journal articles–as well as the 2005 book, co-authored with a foster/adopt mother, The Jonathon Letters, and the 2008 Baby Verses: The Narrative Poetry of Infants and Toddlers–Mr. Trout has produced 16 documentary films that are in use in universities and clinics around the world, including five films on the unique perspective of babies on divorce, adoption, loss, domestic violence and parental incarceration. His meditation CD for foster and adoptive parents is entitled The Hope-Filled Parent. He co-authored See Me As A Person, on the nature of the therapeutic relationship, with Mary Koloroutis. His final book, This Hallowed Ground: Four Decades in Infant Mental Health, was published in 2019. Mr. Trout won the Selma Fraiberg Award in 1984, for “...significant contributions to the needs of infants and their families”, and a Lifetime Achievement Award by ATTACh, “for his decades of work with children of loss and trauma”.
The most important part of Mr. Trout’s work was always in the quiet private practice where he saw families and children of all ages every week. After 46 years, he retired in the summer of 2014.
Michael's grandfather was his "Aunt Rosie," or Angel in the Nursery. In this podcast we talked about his early years with Selma Fraiburg, setting up the Infant-Parent Institute, his inspiration to create educational films and products in the baby's voice. We mentioned two stories that I love and have changed my life, practice and teaching: The Aunt Rosie Story, and the Infant Coherent Narrative. We end with talking about his approach, wondering, following and holding that he writes about in his book, See Me As A Person, Creating Therapeutic Relationships with Patients and Their Families, that he wrote with his wife, Mary Koloroutis. This book won the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year in 2013.
He has published an audio book, This Hallowed Ground: Four Decades of Infant Mental Health that is audio only, and is available through the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health. Michael narrates the book, which makes it very powerful. I highly recommend you read it.
Enjoy this hour with an amazing clinician. His stories and wisdom are gems.
