Overview

The APS hosts this webinar with the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.

This webinar aims to introduce clinicians to the field of perinatal and infant mental health. Therapists who treat conditions associated with adult psychopathology are not often taught to consider lifespan factors in their clinical formulation. We know that the perinatal period, from pregnancy through to 3 years postnatal, is the time in a woman's life when she is most likely to manifest clinical symptomatology.

For men, much less is known via current research but it is believed this is also a sensitive time of much stress and psychosocial adjustment, not always recognised or considered by the clinician.

Child and adolescent clinicians are taught to consider developmental factors in their client's presentation, but literacy is low around perinatal adjustment, and  the ways in which adversity falling in this period of time can impact the overall wellbeing of the family. Factors such as infertility, birth trauma, and family stressors play a significant role in the trajectories toward maladjustment.

Level of Learning

Foundational. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic.

Duration of access

Access to the recording and presenter slides is for 12 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Activity details 

• On-demand webinar recording 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this webinar, participants should be able to:

• recognise the field of perinatal and infant mental health,

• apply a lifespan developmental lens focusing on the perinatal period to current clinical practice, and

• identify avenues for further learning and/or additional therapy approaches.

Presenter(s)

Dr Rachel Bushing

About the presenter(s)

Dr Rachel Bushing is the Director of POP! Psychology and the perinatal specialist service Three Little Birds, based in Brisbane. She is a Clinical Psychologist who has extensive experience working with children and families. Her passionate and creative approach helps to bring fun into the therapy setting. Rach specialises in the assessment and treatment of psychological disorders that impact children, adolescents, adults and families. She has a special interest in parent-child relationships and early emotional development. She uses a range of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, and parenting interventions including Triple P (Accredited Facilitator), Circle of Security, and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Rach has developed and delivered education and training programs, and has been highly involved in group facilitation, the development of psychoeducational resources, and therapeutic program development. She is passionate about mental health and parenting education and early intervention, so that communities are strengthened through learning how to best help others.