Julie M. Ribaudo

Clinical Professor of Social Work

Julie Ribaudo, PhD, LMSW, is a Clinical Professor of Social Work at the University of Michigan. Her career has primarily focused on parent-infant and early childhood relational health. Before joining U-M in 2006, she worked across a range of community-based settings, including mental health, education,and child welfare.

In addition to her teaching, Ribaudo serves as a reflective supervisor and consultant to individuals and groups who support parents and young children. She is also actively engaged in research as a faculty member of Zero to Thrive in the Department of Psychiatry at U-M.

Ribaudo received the 2013 Selma Fraiberg Award from the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health for her outstanding contributions to infants and families across the state. She was named Professor of the Year by the U-M School of Social Work Student Union in both 2011 and 2015. She currently serves as an elected board member of the World Association for Infant Mental Health.

Research Interests

Psychotherapy, community mental health, child welfare, public health, early intervention, challenging infants, mental health, infant mental health, clinical supervision

Curriculum Vitae

Contact Information

  • [email protected]

  • (734) 936-4949

  • University of Michigan
    School of Social Work
    1080 S. University
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Education

  • 2024 PhD Social Work
    Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
  • 1984 MSW Children & Youth
    University of Georgia
  • 2000 Post Graduate Certificate Infant Mental Health
    Wayne State University, Detroit,, MI
  • 1982 BS Criminology/Criminal Justice
    Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti

News

Activities

Publications

Hong, S., Ribaudo, J. M., Safyer, P., Routte, I. E., & Watkins, D. C. (2025). Advancing psychodynamic-based clinical social work practice to address structural trauma: Integrating neuroscience and attachment theory. Social Work, 70(2), 121-130.
~Miller, A., Varisco, R., Simone, C., Haan, P., Stein, S., Hernandez, J., Riley, H., Sokol, R., Trout,P., Arboleda, L., Ribaudo, J., & Peterson, K. (2023). Parenting and lead mitigation at home: A multi-faceted community partnership model promoting parent engagement in lead exposure prevention. Health Promotion Practice.
Julian, M. M., Riggs, J., Wong, K., Lawler, J., Brophy-Herb, H. E., Ribaudo, J., Stacks, A., Jester, J. M., Pitzen, J., Muzik, M., & Rosenblum, K. L. (2023). Relationships reduce risks for child maltreatment: Results of an experimental trial of infant mental health home visiting. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14.
Price D., Robinson Y., Riley H., Ribaudo J., Giang C., Herrenkohl T. I., & Miller A. L. (2023). Start early: Providing trauma-informed, systems-focused professional development in early childhood development and learning contexts. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 8(4), 055.
Ribaudo, J., Lawler, J. M., Jester, J. M., Riggs, J., Erickson, N. L., Stacks, A. M., Brophy-Herb, H., Muzik, M., & Rosenblum, K. L. (2022). Maternal history of adverse experiences and PTSD symptoms impact toddlers' early socioemotional wellbeing: The benefits of Infant Mental Health-Home Visiting. Frontiers in Psychology, 12.
Miller, A., Stein, S., Sokol, R., Varisco, R., Trout, P., Julian, M., Ribaudo, J., Kay, J., Pilkauskas, N., Gardner-Neblett, N., Herrenkohl, T., Zivin, K., Muzik, M., & Rosenblum K. (2022). From zero to thrive: A model of cross-system and cross-sector relational health to promote early childhood development across the child-serving ecosystem. Infant Mental Health Journal, 43(4), 624-637.
Miller, A., Varisco, R., Simone, C., Haan, P., Stein, S., Hernandez, J., Riley, H., Sokol, R., Trout, P., Arboleda, L., Ribaudo, J., & Peterson K. (2022). Parenting and lead mitigation at home: A multifaceted community partnership model promoting parent engagement in lead exposure prevention. Health Promotion Practice, 24(5), 911-920.
Ribaudo, J. (2021). What about the baby? Infancy and parenting in the Covid-19 pandemic. Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 75(1), 22-36.
Julian, M. M., Muzik, M., Jester, J. M., Handelzalts, J., Erickson, N., Stringer, M., Brophy-Herb, H., Ribaudo, J., Huth-Bocks, A., Lawler, J., Stacks, A., Rosenblum, K. L., & the Michigan Collaborative for Infant Mental Health Research. (2021). Relationships heal: Reducing harsh parenting and child abuse potential with relationship-based parent-infant home visiting. Children and Youth Service Review, 128.
Stein, S. F., Galano, M. M., Grogan-Kaylor, A. C., Clark, H. M., Ribaudo, J. M., & Graham-Bermann, S. A. (2021). Predictors of intimate partner violence victimization by multiple partners over a period of eight years. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 35(1), 222-234.

Honors and Awards

Year Description
2024 Executive Committee of WAIMH
2022-2023 Graduate Professional Student Award, Wayne State University
2021-2022 Graduate Professional Student Award, Wayne State University
2020-2021 Graduate Professional Student Award, Wayne State University
2013 Selma Fraiberg Award for significant contributions in support of services for infants, toddlers and their families in the state of Michigan, Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.
2004 Women of Distinction Honor for significant contribution to the lives of women and children,
Shorewood Kiwanis Club
2002 Esther Dean Callard Award for Excellence in service to young children and families, Metro Detroit Chapter - Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health

Presentations

Year Description
2023 Ribaudo, J. (2023). “Tough All Day and Frightened All Night”: The Role of Fear Regulation in Attachment and Behavior. University of Wisconsin Infant, Early Childhood Family Mental Health Capstone Program. Madison, WI. (Virtual Presentation)
2023 Ribaudo, J. (2023). Being Therapeutic When You Aren’t a Therapist. Keynote Speaker. Early Impact Virginia, Richmond, VA.
2023 Ribaudo, J. (2023). Understanding and Responding to Difficult Parent-Infant Relationships. Infant Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona. Phoenix, AZ. (Virtual Presentation)
2023 Ribaudo, J. (2023). Being therapeutic when you aren't a therapist [Keynote speaker]. Early Impact Virginia, Richmond VA.
2023 Ribaudo, J. (2023). The impact of school closures on child health and development: A call for interdisciplinary action [Invited panelist]. Child Health Research and Evaluation panel, Fifteenth Annual Susan B. Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.

Courses

Current & Future Courses

Title Instructor Term Course Section Meeting Start Meeting End
Observation and Interaction with Young Children and their Caregivers Schottenfels, Hannah R. Spring / Summer 2026 001 02:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course

Past Courses

Title Instructor Term Course Section Meeting Start Meeting End
Contexts of Life-course Development: Childhood, Adolescence, and Early Adulthood Ribaudo, Julie M. Winter 2026 001 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Contexts of Life-course Development: Childhood, Adolescence, and Early Adulthood Ribaudo, Julie M. Winter 2026 002 02:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course
Contexts of Life-course Development: Childhood, Adolescence, and Early Adulthood Ribaudo, Julie M. Fall 2025 001 02:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course
Essentials of Interpersonal Practice Ribaudo, Julie M. Fall 2025 007 09:00 am 01:00 pm View Course
Attachment Theory in Clinical Practice through the Lifespan Ribaudo, Julie M. Fall 2025 001 09:00 am 05:00 pm View Course
Contexts of Life-course Development: Childhood, Adolescence, and Early Adulthood Ribaudo, Julie M. Spring / Summer 2025 801 06:00 pm 08:00 pm View Course
Observation and Interaction with Young Children and their Caregivers Ribaudo, Julie M. Spring / Summer 2025 001 02:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course
Contexts of Life-course Development: Childhood, Adolescence, and Early Adulthood Ribaudo, Julie M. Winter 2025 001 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Theories and Practices of Infant Mental Health Ribaudo, Julie M. Winter 2025 801 06:00 pm 08:00 pm View Course
Contexts of Life-course Development: Childhood, Adolescence, and Early Adulthood Ribaudo, Julie M. Winter 2025 801 06:00 pm 08:00 pm View Course