Program Description
This 3-part beginner-level training series provides a foundation for understanding, treating, and supporting perinatal mental health. Session one offers an in-depth overview of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS), including prevalence, risk factors, and diagnostic considerations. Session two focuses more specifically on evidence-based treatment interventions, using case studies as examples. The final session addresses grief, loss and trauma in the perinatal period.
The training is appropriate for mental health professionals, as well as physicians (psychiatrists, gynecologists, internists, family practice providers) who treat women of child bearing age and are looking for greater understanding of how to identify, diagnose, and potentially treat PMADS.
Understanding Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
Recorded 10/3/25
Course Description:
Overview of mood & anxiety disorders that can occur during pregnancy and postpartum. We discuss how to recognize and diagnose PMADS, as well as risk factors that can impact perinatal mental health.
Objectives: Attendees who participate in this training will:
- Identify the spectrum of mental health disorders that can occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and understand that PMADs are the most common complication of childbirth.
- Describe the ways in which perinatal mental health disorders are frequently overlooked, misdiagnosed, or under-treated due to lack of awareness, stigma, and limited provider training.
- Differentiate between various perinatal mental health disorders—such as perinatal depression, bipolar, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and psychosis—by identifying key symptoms, course of illness, and features that are often misunderstood.
- Analyze the range of biological, psychological, and social factors that increase risk for perinatal mental health disorders, including hormonal shifts, trauma history, lack of support, and socioeconomic stressors.
Agenda - Click to View
Treating Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
Recorded 10/10/25
Course Description:
This training builds on the first session, with an overview of how to treat Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. We review case studies with specific examples of treatment approaches.
Objectives: Attendees who participate in this training will:
- Review the spectrum of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and explain the therapist’s role in assessment, psychoeducation, and treatment planning for clients experiencing these conditions
- Analyze contributing factors—including biological, psychological, relational, and societal influences—that shape the experience of PMADs.
- Critique common myths and concerns regarding the use of psychotropic medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Apply knowledge of referral pathways, adjunctive services, and interdisciplinary collaboration (e.g., OB/GYN, psychiatry, lactation, support groups) to support families effectively.
- Demonstrate awareness of how societal expectations and cultural narratives about motherhood impact clients’ mental health.
Agenda - Click to View
Grief, Loss, & Trauma in the Perinatal Period
Recorded 10/17/25
Course Description:
In this session, we address perinatal loss and birth trauma. Participants are taught to recognize and respond to the many forms of grief and loss in the perinatal period, and to implement evidence-based interventions to support clients.
Objectives: Attendees who participate in this training will:
- Describe the many forms of loss that may impact clients in the perinatal period
- Describe the various ways that trauma and grief can show up for parents from obvious losses as well as less recognized perceptions of loss
- Explain how to best support and provide adjunctive referrals for clients who are experiencing trauma or grief in the perinatal period
- Discuss the challenges that therapists may face in working with this population
- Compile resources to help validate client’s experiences and provide additional support
Agenda - Click to view
Event Details:
CE Information:
6 CE Contact Hours for Entire Series or 2 CE Contact Hours for Individual Sessions for:
- Psychologists (all states)
- Social Workers – New York, Virginia and Washington, DC
- CHES professionals
Many licensing boards accept CE from APA approved sponsors as well as for trainings approved by boards in other jurisdictions. Please review this chart to see whether your state approves CE for this training.
Cost:
- Individual with CE credit: $50/session or $105 (discounted rate) for the complete 3-session series
- Student/Non-CE participant/CHES Professionals: $35/session or $75(discounted rate) for the complete 3-session series
- Free for ADAA members: The Ross Center, in collaboration with ARC Health, is pleased to provide ADAA members access to continuing education opportunities at no cost.
Registration Information:
REGISTER FOR ENTIRE SERIES AND RECEIVE A DISCOUNT:
REGISTER HERE for FULL HOMESTUDY series
REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS:
Understanding Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
Recorded on Friday, October 3, 2025
REGISTER HERE for HOMESTUDY RECORDING.
Treating Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
Recorded on Friday, October 10, 2025
REGISTER HERE for HOMESTUDY RECORDING.
Grief, Loss, & Trauma in the Perinatal Period
Recorded on Friday, October 17
REGISTER HERE for HOMESTUDY RECORDING.
Presented By: Megan MacCutcheon, LPC, PMH-C
Megan MacCutcheon is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Perinatal Mental Health practitioner, and Board Approved Supervisor. She specializes in working with individuals who are experiencing mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy and following childbirth. She also provides EMDR intensives for those who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic birth. In her private practice, Be Well-Wellness, she provides a holistic and collaborative space for providers whose missions are focused around serving families during pregnancy, postpartum, parenting, and beyond.
TESTIMONIALS:
“Perinatal health was not covered in my training and I think that’s the case for many of us. Megan was knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about this area of mental health”
“Presenter was clearly very knowledgable and thoughtfully integrated clinical application and examples.”
“Appreciate the way she offered examples of phrasing and inquiring about difficult topics.”
“The content was presented in a way that was both evidence-based and practical, making it easy to apply directly to my real-world practice. I left feeling more confident and informed. I would highly recommend this training”
“I thought Megan was extremely knowledgable, and being able to talk about so many different case examples was really helpful.”
For more information contact: trainings@rosscenter.com
