Led by an experienced Specialist Clinical and Research Psychologist, this advanced level Postnatal Depression and Birth Trauma course is ideal for childcare and health professionals who have a keen interest in psychological difficulties following traumatic childbirth.
This course will provide both an analytical and reflective space for professionals to explore the common psychological difficulties following traumatic childbirth, including postnatal depression (PND), birth trauma and post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This Postnatal Depression and Birth Trauma course will look at the impact of trauma on the brain, body and relationships, as well as assessment tools, medication used and how to manage risk as a practitioner. Throughout this advanced level course candidates will develop a deeper understanding of psychosocial interventions to assist individuals suffering from postnatal depression and post- traumatic stress disorder.
Course feedback:
“I am a qualified nurse and midwife but now working as a trained Maternity nurse.”
F. Belvedere
“The course was very useful! I think it will support my application to university very well and has cemented my desire to work with women and children.”
S. Jackson
What’s included in the Postnatal Depression & Birth Trauma Course
Module 1
Transition to parenthood
- Expectations vs Reality
- Pressures on Parents
- Useful Theories in Transition to Parenthood
Module 2
Perinatal Mental Health
- What do we mean by Perinatal Mental Health
- Who is involved in Perinatal Mental Health
- A word on stigma
Module 3
The Importance of Birth (Trauma)
- What is Birth Trauma
- Why do some people become traumatised
- Psychological treatments for birth trauma
Module 4
Perinatal Depression
- What is Perinatal Depression
- Psychological Treatments for Depression
Module 5
Perinatal Anxiety
- Symptoms of Anxiety
- Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Treatment for OCD
Module 6
Other Mental Health Problems
- Other mental health problems
- Complex trauma
Module 7
Partners becoming parents
- The couple relationship in the perinatal period
- Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation Model of Relationships Theory
- The impact of couple conflict on children
- What you can do to help
Module 8
The impact on the relationship with the baby
- The impact on the relationship with the baby
- How does mental health affect the relationship with the baby
- Attachment Theory
- What can we do to help
Module 9
Looking after ourselves
- Looking after ourselves
- Compassion fatigue
- How we can look after ourselves
Postnatal Depression & Birth Trauma Course Details
Course Dates & Details
We want to support you in achieving your goals! To make the training more accessible, we have financing plans available. There are small financing fees if you choose to go this route. Completing your payment plan is required.
Payment Options Available:
Unaccredited
Level 3
Full Payment of £205 2 Payments of £105
Level 4
Postnatal Depression (PND) Course Content
Module 1: Transition to parenthood
Expectations vs Reality
Pressures on Parents
Useful Theories in Transition to Parenthood
Module 2: Perinatal Mental Health
What do we mean by Perinatal Mental Health
Who is involved in Perinatal Mental Health
A word on stigma
Module 3: The Importance of Birth (Trauma)
What is Birth Trauma
Why do some people become traumatised
Psychological treatments for birth trauma
Module 4: Perinatal Depression
What is Perinatal Depression
Psychological Treatments for Depression
Module 5: Perinatal Anxiety
Symptoms of Anxiety
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Treatment for OCD
Module 6: Other Mental Health Problems
Other mental health problems
Complex trauma
Module 7: Partners becoming parents
The couple relationship in the perinatal period
Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation Model of Relationships Theory
The impact of couple conflict on children
What you can do to help
Module 8: The impact on the relationship with the baby
The impact on the relationship with the baby
Module 9: Looking after ourselves
Looking after ourselves
Compassion fatigue
How we can look after ourselves
Assessment
Post course assessment options:
- Option 1: Level 3 OCN London Postnatal Depression Training Course (A-Level standard)
- Option 2: Level 4 OCN London Postnatal Depression Training Course (Foundation degree standard).
We recommend that candidates completing the level 4 assessment have already completed a course to at least a level 3 standard. If you have any queries, please feel free to contact us on: 0208 986 9008 or email: info@babyem.co.uk and we are happy to discuss the assessment in more detail.
Postnatal Depression & Birth Trauma course assessment:
Candidates are emailed a study pack along with assessment, and are given 5 weeks to complete this before sending the completed version back to us by email. Candidates require internet access to download resources and view video clips, and will require the use of a computer to study the course (please note: tablets and smartphones are not advisable for studying).
Pre-requisite
- Internet access and a working email address that we can contact you on and a Word Processing package such as Microsoft Word in order to complete the assessment
- Up-to-date internet browser such as: Internet Explorer/Safari/Google Chrome/Mozilla Firefox etc…
- Ability to hear audio/video via your computer as our resource files include video clips
- Use of a computer to complete the course work. Smart phones and tablets are not suitable for completing the assessment as the display and functionality can be affected.
Direction
Address:
London Marriott Hotel Kensington, 147c Cromwell Rd, Kensington, London SW5 0TH
Tel: +44(0) 20 7973 1000
Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lonlm-london-marriott-hotel-kensington/
Directions:
From Heathrow Airport:
Take M4 East and continue onto A4 to Hammersmith/Central London. A4 becomes Cromwell Road, pass Earls Court Road junction on your right. Turn first right into Knaresborough Place opposite Cromwell Hospital, then first left into Collingham Place and then left again. At the traffic lights turn left which will bring you to the hotel entrance on Cromwell Road, opposite Sainsbury’s store.
From Gatwick Airport:
Take M23 and connect to M4 East towards Central London and join onto A4 towards Central London. A4 becomes Cromwell Road, pass Earls Court Road junction on your right. Turn first right into Knaresborough Place opposite Cromwell Hospital, then first left into Collingham Place and then left again. At the traffic lights turn left which will bring you to the hotel entrance on Cromwell Road, opposite Sainsbury’s store. Alternatively take the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station, then take the Tube – District or Circle Line to Earls Court or Gloucester Road Station.
Traveling by Tube
Nearest stations: Earl’s Court Station & Gloucester Road Station
Tube lines: District line, Circle line, and Piccadilly line
Car Parking:
£35 per day- Book by calling London Marriott Hotel Kensington
£7-£8 If you book with 20% discount code :BABYEM20
The Hotel is NOT within the London congestion charging zone
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does it take to complete the Perinatal Mental Health Training?
We estimate that it will take approximately 6-8 hours to complete the online learning material. If you have opted to complete the accreditation we estimate that this will take approximately 20-30 hours of learning.
What is the difference between the different levels?
If you have opted to complete the OCN level 3 assessment, you will be required to complete essay based assessment questions. You are given 7 weeks from the date you sign up to complete the questions. these are then uploaded and send to us via the online platform.
On completion of completing this course, candidates will receive the level 3 accreditation through Open College Network London (OCN) in Perinatal Mental Health Training, including Postnatal Depression & Birth Trauma.
What happens when I sign up?
Once you successfully make a payment, you will receive a receipt. Within 10 minutes, you will receive confirmation that you have successfully enrolled onto the Perinatal Mental Health Training course. You will also be sent a welcome email. Should you not receive the confirmation email, please send an email to info@babyem.co.uk Alternatively please call: 0208 986 9008.
Will I be assessed during the course?
Each module (topic) consists of a number of lessons, and most lessons have sub-lessons. After each of the lessons, you will be required to complete short multiple-choice questions. You are required to achieve 80% in each of the lessons to pass, however, you are able to retake those tests. Therefore, if you do not pass, you keep retaking until you do! This part of the course is not assessed and there to support you to digest the course information. If you have opted to complete the assessment paper at level 3 or level 4 awarded through Open College Network you will be required to complete a series of essay-based questions which relate to the course content.
Can I talk to you throughout the program?
Yes! You can contact us through the chat service, by email, Skype, or feel free to call. We have also set up a Facebook group specifically for attendees completing this course, which is where you can ask your tutors questions and network with other course members.
Are there any prerequisites before attending this course?
Before signing up for the Perinatal Mental Health Training, you are required to have:
- A good level of conversational English. The course is taught in English and assignments must be completed in English.
In order to complete the online modules candidates are required to have the following in place:
- Internet access and a working email address
- Up to date internet browser such as: Google Chrome/ Internet Explorer/Safari/FireFox.
- Ability to hear audio/video via your computer
- Use of a computer to study the course – tablets and smartphones are not advisable for studying.
Our Postnatal Depression & Birth Trauma Course Tutors

Harriet Higgins
Clinical Psychologist
Harriet is a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in working with parents and their babies in the perinatal period. For the past 14 years she has worked for the NHS providing a Psychology service in children centres. She takes a whole family approach to supporting parents mental health and is passionate about early intervention.
Over the years she has developed a specialist interest in working therapeutically with couples experiencing relationship difficulties during pregnancy or after birth. She also helps parents and their babies with issues such as tokophobia (fear of giving birth), pregnancy loss, birth trauma, difficulties adjusting to parenting, attachment issues and feelings of depression and anxiety in pregnancy and postnatally.
Alongside working with parents she is an experienced supervisor and trainer to other Psychologists and mental health/early years practitioners. She is a member of the Association for Infant Mental Health and the Make Birth Better network.



Dr Emma Svanberg
Clinical Psychologist
Emma is a HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist, a member of the British Psychological Society and the Association for Infant Mental Health and the London Regional Co-ordinator for the Positive Birth Movement.
As well as meeting people for therapy, Emma also runs supportive groups in her local area for parents and provides birth preparation courses combining hypnobirthing and psychology.
Emma is a key writer and campaigner and has written for newspapers such as The Guardian promoting mental health awareness.
Our risk free 10-day money back guarantee
We are deeply committed to supporting you in your journey as a professional supporting parents and their infants. With a team of highly skilled specialists supporting you, we look forward to helping you achieve your business goals. As a training team, we have supported thousands of childcare professionals in the UK and internationally. Through our consultancy service, we have supported agencies internationally, to develop their training, developing policies and procedures and coaching them to success. However, we also want you to feel comfortable with your investment – so we offer a 10-day money back guarantee. If you join and within 10 days and decide the program isn’t right for you, then you can request a full refund and we wish you well for the future. We are confident that you will love the course and we are very excited at the opportunity to support you and be part of your journey!



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