16-121a Treating Mood & Anxiety Disorders Related To Pregnancy or Postpartum
6 Hour Seminar
Mara Acel-Green, M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W.
Friday, June 17, 2016
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Course Description
Often a period that is described as bliss by outsiders, the period during pregnancy and postpartum are frequently
experienced as a blur for those going through it. This workshop will explore perinatal mood and anxiety
disorders; we will also explore other emotional complications of pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Emotional complications are the most common complication of pregnancy and often go unreported,
undiagnosed, and untreated. In this workshop we will explore the prevalence of these complications, the
challenges to accessing appropriate care, and treatment approaches. We will spend the afternoon exploring the
use of CBT for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The workshop format includes case presentations,
resource identification, and screening tools.
Faculty: Mara Acel-Green, M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W. – Mara is a psychotherapist in Watertown, MA and the
owner of Strong Roots Counseling; Mara has a specialty in pregnancy and postpartum mood and anxiety and
related disorders. Mara was graduated from Smith School for Social Work and has a certificate in Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy from Boston University. In addition to her private practice and adjunct faculty position at
Northeastern University, she is the past President of the Board of Directors of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies
of Massachusetts. Mara's written work can be see on Huffington Post as well as on her website at
www.maragreen.com or www.strongrootscounseling.com.
Learning Objectives
After attending this seminar, participants will be able to:
1. Identify 3 aspects of perinatal emotional complications: scope, risk factors, and treatment options
2. Explain how to deliver and score the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Screen
3. Learn 3 aspects of postpartum planning and identify at least 3 resources
Bibliography

Beck, C. and Driscoll, J. (2006). Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett
Publishers.

Wenzel, A. (2011). Anxiety in Childbearing Women. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Wenzel, A. (2015). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Perinatal Distress. New York, NY: Routledge.

Wiegartz and Gyoerkoe. (2009). The Pregnancy & Postpartum Anxiety Workbook. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger
Publications.