National Psychology Training Consortium

Course Description and Target Audience

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) is a spectrum of mood changes that occur in the perinatal and/or postpartum periods for birthing people and their partners. Although this spectrum of symptoms is not a new phenomenon, the research has been limited until recent years. The assessment and treatment of PMADs is vital and effective. This session will address the symptom presentation, prevalence, and treatment of PMADs in a primary care setting. Time will be spent to address standards of practice that can be implemented into an ambulatory primary care or specialty setting to assist those experiencing PMADs. Target audience for this training is mental health professionals who work with individuals who may become pregnant, deliver a baby, or care for newborns and infants.

Information presented is from recent CDC and DHHS outcome data which indicates that mental health related death (i.e, suicide) is the leading cause of death during pregnancy and the postpartum period. As health psychologist and psychologist-in-training, we are likely encountering individuals during these vulnerable times and can provide behavioral intervention to reduce likelihood of morbidity and mortality. Trost SL, Busacker A, Leonard M, et al. Pregnancy-Related Deaths: Data from Maternal Mortality Review Committees in 38 U.S. States, 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2024 Missouri Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review 2017- 2021 Annual Report. Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. (June 2024). No limitations noted. A trigger warning may be beneficial as the topic covered will review potentially triggering material including suicide, pregnancy and infant loss, and traumatic birth experiences. 

The recent national and state Morbidity and Mortality data regarding maternal care, specifically within the BIPOC community will be outlined to emphasize the cultural considerations when treating the peri and postpartum population.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to define and understand the symptom presentation and diagnostics associated with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.
• Participants will be able to identify leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in the US and Missouri.
• Participants will be able to recognize and implement standards of practice related to assessment and treatment of PMADs in an ambulatory clinical practice.
• Participants will be able to implement behavioral treatments for PMADS.

Presenter Information

Dr. Carlie Nikel is an Associate Program Director and Director of Behavioral Science at the University of Missouri – Kansas City Family Medicine Residency. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at UMKC SOM. Dr. Nikel earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Forest Institute in Springfield Missouri in 2014. She focused her clinical training, internship, and fellowship in integrated health psychology prior to joining the faculty in 2016. In addition to program development and education of residents and faculty on behavioral science, Dr. Nikel also supervises doctoral psychology practicum students, and facilitates a pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship in integrated behavioral health. As a licensed clinical psychologist, she provides integrated behavioral health services at the University Health Lakewood Medical Center, which is home to the UMKC FMR. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, traveling, hiking, and fiber art including hand-sewn embroidery and knitting.

Video Homestudy Format

CE’s for this homestudy training will be earned through completing the following tasks:

• Watch the presentation video and review all provided documents in their entirety.
• Pass the post-test questionnaire with at least 80% correct.

A program evaluation form will be provided to all who registered following the training. Please be sure to complete this form since your feedback helps direct future CE programming from our organization.

Registration Cost

This cost includes video links, materials, and tests required to obtain CE’s. Your CE certificate will be made available to you upon successful completion of the training (80% or higher on exam).

National Psychology Training Consortium (NPTC) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NPTC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.