Perinatal Mental Health & PMADs: Understanding & Supporting Clients

Onsite Learning Programme

Build confidence in recognising and supporting perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).

Grounded in current perinatal mental health research, this continuing professional development (CPD) workshop offers practical tools for immediate clinical use and integrates trauma- and attachment-informed approaches. It is facilitated by a specialist in perinatal psychotherapy.

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Programme Type: CPD workshop (certificate of attendance)

CPD: 6 hours
Next Intake(s): 5 September

NFQ: N/A
ECTS: N/A

Academic Validation: N/A

Professional Accreditation: N/A

Overview

Introduction

This is a one‑day applied workshop providing mental health professionals with evidence‑based skills to assess, understand and support clients experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).

Perinatal mental health difficulties are common yet often under‑recognised. Many practitioners feel unsure how to assess risk, differentiate PMADs or support clients experiencing distress during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This workshop provides a grounded, compassionate introduction to perinatal mental health, helping therapists respond with confidence, sensitivity and clinical awareness.

Who Should Apply
  • Psychotherapists and counsellors
  • Trainee therapists
  • Perinatal mental health practitioners
  • Mental health professionals working with women, couples or family transitions
  • Midwives, public health nurses and primary care professionals
  • Coaches or support workers in perinatal mental health, reproductive health or women’s wellbeing
  • Professionals in related fields (e.g. doulas and birth support professionals)
Overview
  • Full-day, in-person workshop (classroom based)
  • Case‑based learning and real-world scenarios
  • Practical assessment tools and intervention templates
  • Space for personal reflection and professional integration
  • Certificate of completion and CPD hours (if applicable)
Themes
  • Overview of PMADs
  • Emotional and psychological transitions in pregnancy and postpartum
  • Matrescence and identity transformation
  • Birth trauma, medical experiences and relational impacts
  • Assessment, formulation and intervention
  • Risk, safeguarding and referral pathways
Key learner outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

  • Identify the spectrum of PMADs and their presentations
  • Recognise common presentations, risk factors and protective factors
  • Explore the emotional, relational and identity-based shifts of matrescence
  • Have a greater understanding for clients experiencing birth trauma, anxiety, depression and other transitions of the perinatal period
  • Apply evidence-based interventions to support clients
  • Identify when referral, collaboration or additional support may be appropriate
Assessment

N/A

Certification

Certificate of attendance

CPD: 6 hours

Venue

This workshop will take place onsite at IICP College, Killinarden, Dublin 24.

The cost of the workshop is €95.00. (15% discount for IICP College students/alumni and VCS counsellors)

This workshop is part of IICP College’s Summer Series and is eligible for our 3 for 2 offer — book any two summer series workshops and get a third one free!

(Note: The discount for IICP College students, alumni and VCS counsellors cannot be used in conjunction with the 3 for 2 offer.)

Expert Course Facilitator

Linda Bolger

Linda is a fully qualified counsellor/psychotherapist with a Degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy. She also holds a Professional Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and a Level 9 Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health. She is an accredited member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP).

Linda specialises in all areas of women’s health — working with women with a wide range of issues, including:

  • Preconception and fertility
  • Infertility
  • IVF and assisted reproduction
  • Pregnancy, miscarriage and loss
  • Traumatic birth
  • Postnatal anxiety
  • Postnatal depression
  • Transition to motherhood
  • Perimenopause and menopause
  • Stress, anxiety and depression
  • Self-esteem and confidence

Linda is an Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (Eagala) certified mental health professional and offers equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions.

Additionally, she holds a Level 9 Certificate in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education. She lectures part-time on the degree programme at IICP College and offers workshops, training and talks in fertility and perinatal mental health.

Take the next step
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+353 (0)1 661 0168

[email protected]

IICP College Office

+353 (0)1 4664205

©IICP.ie 2026. IICP Education and Training Unlimited Company trading as IICP College registered in Ireland under number 413668 with its registered office at IICP College, Killinarden Enterprise Park, Tallaght, Dublin D24 TKC7.