This introductory course makes the case for perinatal mental health screening in the obstetrician’s office and providers information and resources to do so. Gabrielle Kaufman, MA, LPCC, BC-DMT, NCC, PMH-C, Diana Lynn Barnes, PsyD, LMFT and Emily Dossett, MD,MTS, review the definition of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, prevalence rates, risk factors, signs, symptoms and impact of untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders on the birthing person, infant and developing child. The course discusses differential diagnoses and providers’ recommendations on when to screen, what to do with a positive screen and successful interventions, including psychopharmacology and guidelines surrounding breastfeeding and medication. An interview with John Ozimek, DO, of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is included.

Objectives:
(1) Describe how perinatal mental health impacts mothers, babies and children;
(2) Describe how universal perinatal mental health screening in care is important for integration of care and baby's health;
(3) Recognize concerns and considerations in using psychopharmacology in breast/chestfeeding caregivers and the impact on infants.

Audience:
This course is for healthcare professionals working with families in the perinatal period with a particular focus on obstetrics. This includes mental health professionals, nurses, physicians and midwives, doulas and birth workers, lactation consultants, health educators and more.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

CE: This course meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education for LMFTs, LPCCs, LCSWs, LEPs, and psychologists as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and California Board of Psychology. Community Partners FBO Maternal Mental Health NOW is the sponsor of continuing education for this learning module and is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Community Partners FBO Maternal Mental Health NOW as the sponsor maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CME: CMEs are not provided for this activity.

**If you hold a license not listed here or are licensed outside of the state of California, please check with your licensing board directly to confirm that these CE credits will be accepted. We are unable to assist in verifying if CE credits will be approved for your license type/state outside of California.