Because discrimination and marginalization can slowly chip away at one’s health, Black birthing people are at a high risk of harm during pregnancy and birth. This lesson discusses extremely important considerations for mental health clinicians who support these clients.
This is a free lesson excerpted from Seleni's full-length online course for professionals, the Black Perinatal Mental Health Training. This training will equip clinicians to provide culturally sensitive, respectful and mindful care to Black birthing individuals and families.
In the full-length training, you will explore your own self awareness as a practitioner and receive expert training in symptom presentation, physiology and epigenetics, treatment considerations, screening tools, resources, statistics and the impact of stigma. You’ll also walk away with a greater understanding of the systems which perpetuate trauma in the Black community through the Black birthing experience in particular, and the tools to advocate for your client as they navigate the perinatal period, their own mental health and a healthcare system that has contributed to inequities and negative birth and health outcomes for Black women and families.
Certificates
Participants who complete this free lesson are not eligible for a certificate of completion. To take the certificate course, you will need to purchase access to the full Black Perinatal Mental Health Training. Learn more about how training with Seleni will build your practice and push your career forward.
About Your Instructor
Dr. Marissa Long is a licensed clinical health psychologist, organizational consultant and trainer in Southern California.
Dr. Long has been dedicated to helping individuals in their family-building journey, particularly those with high risk pregnancies and pregnancy loss to manage or relieve the emotional distress associated with these challenges. She works with patients at any and all points along their journey, whether that be during fertility treatments, assessment for gestational carriers and donors, or transition to pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. Long works primarily with the BIPOC community.
Prior to establishing her own practice, ARC Counseling and Wellness, Dr. Long worked in the behavioral medicine, OBGYN, reproductive endocrinology, and education departments at Kaiser Permanente in Fresno, California. Dr. Long brings to her work and this special training with Seleni both her experience and skills combined with warmth and a genuine interest in helping people feel and do better.