COURSE DESCRIPTION
Childbirth is often portrayed as a joyful experience, but for many birthing parents, it can also bring emotional distress or trauma. This course is designed to help behavioral health clinicians and medical care providers recognize, differentiate, and effectively treat postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—two distinct conditions that may affect mothers during the perinatal period.
Untreated, these conditions can significantly impact maternal health and the well-being of children and families. Attention will be given to risk factors such as birth trauma, prior mental health history, systemic barriers to care, and the impact of underdiagnosis—especially among marginalized populations.
This course will explore the psychological, biological, and social causes of PPD and postpartum PTSD, compare their core symptoms and clinical presentations, and examine evidence-based treatment options for both. Participants will leave the course with a deeper understanding of postpartum mental health, screening tools, and practical strategies for offering trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
Differentiate between postpartum depression and postpartum PTSD, including their causes, symptom profiles, and clinical implications.
Describe at least 5 negative effects of untreated Postpartum depression and PTSD on parents, children, and families.
Identify risk factors that contribute to the development of both conditions, including birth trauma and psychosocial stressors.
Describe trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches to screen, assess and treat each condition with cultural sensitivity.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This course is intended for Behavioral Health and Healthcare Providers including Psychologists, Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Graduate Students and others who support maternal and family health and well-being.
FORMAT
Live Via Zoom with PowerPoint and discussion of case examples to apply concepts to real-life.
CREDITS
Eligible participants will receive 2 APA, NBCC, PA SW/LPC/MFT and/or ACT 48 Credits upon successful completion of course requirements.
COST: $35
(The cost of this course is supported in part by a generous grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts)
For more information, please contact Continuing Education, continuing-education@cgrc.org.
Dr. Jennifer Toof
Dr. Jennifer Toof is a Licensed Professional Counselor, owner of Trauma Informed Counseling & Consulting, and former CGRC Employee of the Year. Her PhD is in International Psychology with a concentration in trauma services. She is a Certified Trauma Therapist whose expertise includes working with clients who have experienced traumatic and/or depressive symptoms following childbirth. She has presented on this topic for the American Psychological Association and for The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is a prolific presenter, has been published in peer-reviewed journals, and is highly active in a number of local, national, and international advocacy efforts. traumainformedllc.com
Child Guidance Resource Centers (CGRC) is approved by the American Psychological Association, National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (ACT 48) to award continuing education credits to eligible participants.