Birth trauma is an experience that often goes unrecognized in traditional mental health care. This on-demand training offers perinatal mental health clinicians a clear, research-informed framework for assessing and supporting birth trauma survivors in early stages of recovery. Designed to deepen your clinical insight and expand your therapeutic toolkit, this training integrates trauma theory with practical, adaptable strategies. The first half of the training focuses on assessment and history taking—highlighting experiential themes of birth trauma, identifying risk factors, and exploring the short- and long-term sequelae. Emphasis is placed on understanding the unique experiences of marginalized birthing people, including BIPOC and transgender individuals, and how to approach assessment with cultural humility. The second half introduces stabilization tools to support nervous system regulation and lay the groundwork for future trauma processing. Participants will learn how to integrate psychoeducation about the Window of Tolerance, enhance emotional and somatic literacy, introduce somatic and relational resources, and support dual awareness using accessible, client-centered language. The training also introduces the Postpartum Wellness Model and explores its five core factors that support early postpartum mental health. Whether you work with parents in the immediate postpartum period or years after a traumatic birth, this training will equip you with foundational clinical tools for attuned, effective care.
Understand experiential themes of birth trauma
Identify risk factors, immediate, and long term sequelae of birth trauma
Learn about experiences of birth trauma in historically marginalized groups (e.g., members of BIPOC and transgender-identifying groups)
Identify history taking recommendations for birth trauma survivors presenting for psychotherapy or counseling
Learn assessment tools that can be administered during the initial phases of psychotherapy with birth trauma survivors (including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, Dissociative Experiences Scale)
Understand the Window of Tolerance, including how to teach this concept to clients and incorporate psychoeducation about the neurobiology of trauma into the clinical dialogue.
Understand the conceptual importance of emotional/somatic literacy, and how to help clients enhance this skill.
Learn how to help clients identify somatic and relational resources (relational resources may include the baby, partner, doula, or other caregivers/providers).
Demonstrate understanding of interventions that help clients practice and enhance capacity for dual awareness (Flashback Halting Protocol, CIPOS).
Understand five factors of the Postpartum Wellness Model.
Assessment & History Taking
Stabilization & Nervous System Regulation
Assessment & History Taking PPT
Stabilization & Nervous System Regulation PPT
EPDS
PHQ-9
PCL5
DES
City Birth Trauma Questionnaire
Window of Tolerance Visual
Legacy of Trauma Handout
4 Elements Script
Didactic Handout
RDI Protocol
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Due to Childbirth (Beck, 2004)
Onset Timing, Thoughts of Self-harm, and Diagnoses in Postpartum Women With Screen-Positive Depression Findings (Wisner et al., 2013)
Middle Range Theory of Traumatic Childbirth: The Ever-Widening Ripple Effect (Beck, 2015)
Traumatic Childbirth and Its Aftermath: Is There Anything Positive? (Beck, Watson, & Gable, 2018)
COVID-19 is associated with traumatic childbirth and subsequent mother-infant bonding problems (Mayopoulos et al., 2021)
Pregnancy, Birthing, and Postpartum Experiences During COVID-19 in the United States (DeYoung & Mangum, 2021)
The re-enactment of childhood sexual abuse in maternity care: a qualitative study (Montgomery, Pope, & Rogers, 2015)
Trauma-informed perinatal healthcare for survivors of sexual violence (Ward, 2020)
Post Test: Birth Trauma Recovery: Clinical Tools for Assessment and Stabilization (On-Demand Training)
*Workshop recording and content will be available to participants for 120 days after registration*
A certificate for 4 Postpartum Support International CEUs is included in the price of the training.
NY State licensed psychologists and clinical social workers: The Manhattan Center for Trauma Studies is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0618. The Manhattan Center for Trauma Studies is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0032. This training provides 4 contact hours to licensed clinical social workers and psychologists.
ADA Assistance: Workshops provided by Center Psychology Group are ADA compliant. If you are in need of assistance please contact us at [email protected].
Grievance Policy: We strive to create a training experience that enhances the clinical skills of participants while maintaining the highest degree of integrity and respecting the diversity of all. If you are dissatisfied with your experience, please contact us in writing at [email protected]. You will receive a reply within 5-10 business days.
Cancellation and Refunds: This is an on demand training and refunds will not be provided.
Dr. Alpern's webinars always contain clear and practical information and strategies. I always leave feeling equipped to tackle challenges I previously felt stuck with. This particular training has been incredibly helpful. I highly recommend it!
Dr. Alpern's webinars always contain clear and practical information and strategies. I always leave feeling equipped to tackle challenges I previously felt stuck with. This particular training has been incredibly helpful. I highly recommend it!
Read LessI learned a significant amount in taking this course. I learned how to better serve my clients and support them on their journey. Thank you!
I learned a significant amount in taking this course. I learned how to better serve my clients and support them on their journey. Thank you!
Read LessFound this training very informative and looking forward to more training building on this.
Found this training very informative and looking forward to more training building on this.
Read Less