Mother Matters: Clinical Practice with BIPOC Mothers

In America, Black and Indigenous Persons of Color (BIPOC) and women are often forgotten and unseen. A history of oppression through slavery, misogyny and social systems have been well-documented since 1619. These systems and treatment of Black and BIPOC women and mothers challenge humanity and vitality, thus making life experiences like childbirth difficult.

Presently, Black women are (3) times as likely to die during childbirth when compared to White women. Pregnancy, birth and postpartum experiences are among the most pivotal life experiences for new mothers. The irony and the tragedy is that Black and BIPOC new mothers often receive less support from traditional systems (e.g. occupational, financial, healthcare, family) exactly when they need it the most. This course is designed to discuss the unseen and neglected needs. This course is also designed to activate change and discuss measurable and tangible ways to improve clinical care and practice.

After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:

• Describe Matrescence and (3) Biopsychosocial components of early motherhood.
• Describe PMADS (Perinatal and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders) assessment, intervention, and treatment strategies.
• Describe racial and ethnic disparities in prenatal care, childbirth risks, and breastfeeding support for BIPOC mothers.
• Define (3) community support and engagement opportunities for BIPOC mothers.

This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.3: Program content focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.

This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.

General Admission: $30

The Chicago School Faculty, Staff, and Site Supervisors: $20

Students: $15*

(Please email [email protected] for coupon code)

Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.

Lavonda Mickens, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Psychologist with the Department of Defense

Lavonda Mickens, Ph.D. has been licensed and practicing as a Clinical Psychologist for over a decade (PSY 25833). Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Mickens now lives with her partner and two children in the Washington D.C. Metro area. In addition to roles as a faculty member, department chair, and clinical director, Dr. Mickens now works for the Department of Defense providing support to active duty service members and families. Since becoming a mother in 2018, Dr. Mickens has found and seen herself in the beauty and struggles of mothers, particularly Black and BIPOC mothers who are often forgotten in the margins.

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Athan, A.M. (2020). Reproductive Identity: An Emerging Concept. American Psychologist, 75, 444- 456. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/amp0000623

Cox, J. L., Holden, J. M., & Sagovsky, R. (1987). Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) [Database record]. APA PsycTests. https://doi.org/10.1037/t01756-000

Fernander, Duran, Saab & Scheiderman (2004). John Henry Active Coping, Education and Blood Pressure Among Urban Blacks. Journal of the National Medical
Association, 96, 246-255. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2594971/#:~:text=The%20John%20Henryism%20hypothesis%20posits,those%20with%20greater%20socioeconomic%20resources.

March of Dimes (October 2022) Maternity Care Desert. https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/data?top=23.

Oster, E. (2020). Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool. Penquin Books.

Sacks, A. (2018). Matrescence. TED Talk.

Sacks, A. & Birndorf, C. (2019). What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood. Simon & Schuster: New York.

U.S. Department of Labor Blog. (2021, August 3). 5 Facts About Black Women in the Labor Force. https://blog.dol.gov/2021/08/03/5-facts-about-black-women-in-the-labor-force

Villarosa, L. (2018, April 11) Why America’s Black Mothers and Babies Are In A Life-Or-Death Crisis. New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/magazine/black-mothers-babies-death-maternal-mortality.html

Target Audience: Masters or Doctoral level clinicians (Licensed or Unlicensed)

Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods. 

Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159

Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036

MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.

Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.

*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.

If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.