Assessment & Intervention for Postpartum Depression (3HR)

This training provides mental health professionals with a comprehensive understanding of postpartum depression (PPD), including its diagnosis, assessment, and evidence-based treatment options. Participants will learn to identify clinical features of PPD, distinguish it from other postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, and utilize appropriate screening and diagnostic tools. The course covers therapeutic recommendations and treatment protocols, including psychotherapy (such as CBT and IPT), pharmacological considerations, and integrative approaches. Special attention will be given to supporting new parents with compassion and cultural sensitivity, while addressing factors such as hormonal shifts, identity changes, and support systems. Clinicians will gain practical strategies to help clients navigate the postpartum period and promote mental health recovery and parent-infant bonding.

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Accurately assess and diagnose postpartum depression using validated screening tools and clinical criteria, while differentiating it from other perinatal mood disorders.
• Apply evidence-based treatment protocols and therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal therapies, to support individuals experiencing postpartum depression.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide empathetic, culturally sensitive care and support to postpartum clients, incorporating family dynamics, psychosocial stressors, and parent-infant attachment.

Instructor: Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW

 

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