Peer and Social Support Webinar Series

This 10-part series of videos is presented by experts and volunteer peer supporters within Postpartum Support International and the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color. This webinar series is designed for peer supporters in the perinatal mental health field and/or for those supporting/working with the perinatal population and their families.

Topics range from the overview of perinatal mental health disorders, peer support groups and peer support for families, including LGBTQIA+ families and bereaved parents. Each video/module is between 1-2 hours and can be viewed at your own pace. Join from the comfort of your own home or office to learn more about peer/social support in the perinatal mental health field.


Module Title, Presenters & Learning Objectives:

1. Introduction to Peer and Social Support 
Presenter Names, credentials & (pronouns):

  • Carrie Banks, M.S., PMH-C (she/her)
  • Kelli Blinn, Doula, Childbirth Educator, PRS, PMH-C (she/her)
  • Lisette Lopez-Rose (she/her/ella)

Learning Objectives:

  • Define what is peer support and why it is important
  • Considerations for accessing peer support
  • Tour of PSI’s peer support offerings

2. Perinatal Mental Health for Social Support
Presenter Names, credentials & (pronouns):

  • Karla Cardoza, LMFT, PMH-C (she/her/ella)
  • Heather Coleman, MBA (she/her)
  • Tiffany Conyers, LCSW, PMH-C(she/her/ella)
  • Wendy Davis, PhD, PMH-C (she/her)

 Learning Objectives:

  • Types of Perinatal Mental Health Disorders
  • Providing Perinatal Grief and Loss Support
  • Virtual Peer Support
  • Emergency protocol for Perinatal Mental Health

3. Culturally Responsive and Socially Just Peer Support
Presenter Names, credentials & (pronouns):

  • Laudy Burgos, LCSW-R (she/her/ella)
  • Andrea Clark Horton (she/her)
  • Jabina Coleman, LCSW, MSW, IBCLC (she/her)
  • Divya Kumar, LICSW, ScM, PMH-C  (she/her)

Learning Objectives:

  • Demonstrate how Perinatal Mental Health is intertwined with racism
  • Define what is socially just peer support and why it matters
  • How to apply cultural humility and cultural responsiveness in peer support space

4. Group Peer Support for Perinatal Mental Health
Presenter Names, credentials & (pronouns):

  • Taleah Gholston, CHD (she/her)
  • Elise Conte (She/Her/Hers)
  • Megan Roberts, MA, PMH-C (she/her)
  • Shakima Tozay, MSW, LICSW, PMH-C, CDP® (she/her)

Learning Objectives:

  • Considerations for starting peer support groups and how to create a safe space
  • Advantages and disadvantages of closed vs open peer support groups
  • The role of a peer support group facilitator and self-care for facilitators
  • Develop an emergency protocol for peer support groups with additional resource

5. Support for Family Units
Presenter Names, credentials & (pronouns):

  • Melissa Bentley, LPC, PMH-C (she/her)
  • Patience Riley, LPC (she/her)
  • Karen Wachenheim (she/her)
  • Courtney (Kori) Williams (she/her)

Learning Objectives:

  • Define family structures, family culture and high stress parenting
  • Discuss the factors that impact families when a parent is experiencing mental health challenges
  • PMHD risk factors family members can look out for to advocate for their loved ones

6. Supporting LGBTQIA+ Families
Presenter Names, credentials & (pronouns):

  • E. Hayutt Belleau, MSW, LCSW (They/Them/Theirs)
  • Brandynicole Brooks, PhD, LICSW (she/her)
  • Victoria Cherniak (she/her)

Learning Objectives:

  • Terms and definitions
  • DEI and parenting titles
  • The stigma LGBTQIA+ families face

7. Dads Support
Presenter Names, credentials &(pronouns):

  • Reginald Day, CLC, CHW (he/him)
  • Christopher Rose (he/him)
  • Danny Singley, Ph.D., PMH-C (he/him)

Learning Objectives:

  • Prevalence of Perinatal Mood Disorders in Dads
  • Symptoms of Perinatal Mood Disorders in Dads
  • Why Paternal Involvement is important

8. Advocacy Through Lived Experience
Presenter Names, credentials & (pronouns):

  • Kristina Dulaney (she/her)
  • Tonya Fulwider (she/her)
  • Tomeka Isaac, MBA, MHRM, CAMS (she/her)
  • LaToshia Rouse, CD/PCD(DONA) (she/her)
  • Jessica Schultz (she/her)

Learning Objectives:

  • The power of sharing your lived experience
  • Balancing sharing your story/journey while maintaining healthy boundaries
  • Considerations before sharing your story
  • Avenues for sharing your story: advocacy v. sharing

9. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
Presenter Names, credentials & (pronouns):

  • Katie Dillard, CCLS, PMH-C (she/her)
  • Neatrice Holmes, PFP-C (she/her)
  • Jeanae Hopgood, LMFT, M.Ed, PMH-C, CAGCS, ABD (she/her)

Learning Objectives:

  • Common loss terminology to improve understanding and awareness
  • Best practices to support bereaved parents
  • What about how partners grieve differently
  • Pregnancy loss and the non gestational parent
  • Pregnancy loss stigma, grief and advanced maternal age

10. Community Outreach and Engagement
Presenter Names, credentials & (pronouns):

  • Jenn Davis (she/her)
  • Wendy Davis, PhD, PMH-C (she/her)
  • Alexia Doumbouya, CD, MSL, CMHA (she/her)
  • Emily Jankowski (she/her)

Learning Objectives:

  • How to engage your community
  • Outreach in your community
  • Visibility and Connection