Perinatal Mental Health & PMADs: Understanding & Supporting Clients

Introduction:

This workshop will provide mental health professionals with evidence based skills to assess, understand, and support clients experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Course Content:

Perinatal mental health difficulties are common yet often under recognised. Many practitioners feel unsure how to assess risk, differentiate PMADs, or support clients experiencing distress during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This workshop provides a grounded, compassionate introduction to perinatal mental health, helping therapists respond with confidence, sensitivity and clinical awareness.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify the spectrum of PMADs and their presentation.
• Recognise common presentations, risk factors and protective factors.
• Explore the emotional, relational and identity-based shifts of Matrescence.
• Have a greater understanding for clients experiencing birth trauma, anxiety, depression and other transitions of the perinatal period.
• Apply evidence-based interventions to support clients.
• Identify when referral, collaboration or additional support may be appropriate.