Presenter: Ricci Howell, LCSW, PMH-C
Date: December 10, 2026 | 12:00 PM MST
Format: Live, synchronous webinar | 1 hour
Instructional Level: Introductory
Target Audience: Clinical Mental Health Providers
CE Credits: 1 continuing education credit
Certificates Available: ASWB/ACE, AASECT, THGI
Course Description
The perinatal period is a meaningful time, and also one of complex needs and stress. For perinatal parents who are also caring for older children, physical recovery, sleep deprivation, competing caregiving demands, and shifting family dynamics can make it difficult to maintain connection across parent-child relationships. This training is designed to deepen clinicians' understanding of the relational and psychosocial complexities that multi-child families experience during the perinatal period.
Drawing on attachment theory, family systems perspectives, and current research, the session focuses on the intersection of parental health, parent-child bonding, sibling adjustment, and coparenting. Participants will strengthen their ability to assess relational needs, recognize risk and protective factors, and apply evidence-informed interventions that promote parental well-being and healthy family relationships as a new baby joins the family.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this training, attendees will be able to:
Explain how relational and psychosocial factors influence perinatal adjustment in multi-child families, informed by attachment theory and family systems principles.
Identify at least three protective factors that may influence family functioning during the transition to caring for a newborn alongside other children.
Apply at least two evidence-informed clinical strategies to support perinatal parents in navigating competing caregiving demands while maintaining healthy family relationships.
Limitations, Risks, & Benefits
This training presents a limited amount of information; clinicians who desire additional depth are encouraged to seek out supplemental resources and peer-reviewed literature on this topic. The evidence base for this content may have limitations in generalizability across diverse populations, cultures, or practice settings, and the content reflects information available at the time of its development, so practitioners are encouraged to stay current with evolving research and regulatory standards. Because the training is delivered via an online platform, there are no anticipated risks beyond those typically associated with online learning, though it may not replicate the full interactivity of in-person learning. Participants may encounter discomfort as they explore sensitive topics or challenge existing beliefs and practices, and interactive discussion may feel vulnerable for some attendees. Benefits include greater understanding of the subject and its application in professional practice, foundational knowledge and practical skills that build on existing training, and support for compassionate, inclusive care. This training supports participants in maintaining and developing professional competencies in order to improve services to the public.
Cultural Sensitivity
This training does not specifically address cultural sensitivity or diversity, equity, and inclusion content, as it is not the primary focus of the topic presented. Because the evidence base may have limitations in generalizability across diverse populations, cultures, and practice settings, participants are encouraged to consider how the families they serve may differ from the populations represented in the research.
Course Content
This training presents introductory-level content delivered through lecture and didactic instruction, large group discussion and facilitated dialogue, and live question and answer time with the presenter. The session covers evidence-based intervention methods relevant to supporting perinatal parents in multi-child families, grounded in current research and peer-reviewed literature on maternal sensitivity, mother-infant bonding, sibling adjustment, coparenting, and postpartum social support.
Relevance
This training addresses content directly applicable to clinical practice, including assessment, intervention, and treatment planning for perinatal parents and their families. It builds upon foundational knowledge gained through a completed graduate-level degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related mental health field. Content addresses work with specific populations, including children and families, and reflects current peer-reviewed research and best practices. The training is relevant to licensed social workers, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists.
About the Presenter
Ricci Howell, LCSW, PMH-C, is a licensed clinical social worker and Postpartum Support International-certified perinatal mental health specialist at The Healing Group, where she works with birthing individuals prior to pregnancy and throughout the postpartum experience. Her background includes several years in the medical field, giving her particular familiarity with medical trauma, crisis, and the grief that accompanies loss. She provides trauma-informed, compassion-centered care grounded in empirically supported approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and strengths-based and person-centered modalities. Ricci holds a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Psychology from Brigham Young University.
Course Details
Delivery method: Live webinar via the Institute learning platform
Course interactivity: Lecture and didactic instruction, large group discussion, and live Q&A
Posttest/quiz: Because this is a live course, a standard posttest is not required. Participation will be monitored throughout the session.
Certificate issuance: Certificates of credit will be issued immediately after course completion to participants who attend the full session and complete the course evaluation.
Contact for questions: institute@thehealinggroup.com
Accessibility accommodations: To request accessibility accommodations, please contact institute@thehealinggroup.com prior to the event. We are committed to making our trainings accessible to all participants.
Registration
Register online at thehealinggroupinstitute.com. Refunds are not available. Full refund and cancellation policy is available on the website.
Commercial Support & Conflict of Interest Disclosure
No commercial entity has provided funding or support for this course. Ricci Howell has no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.
ASWB ACE Statement
The Healing Group Institute, provider number 2716, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/31/26 – 3/31/27. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credit.
AASECT CKA
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact info@aasect.org.
References
Albanese, A. M., Geller, P. A., Steinkamp, J. M., Elwy, A. R., Frank, H. E., & Barkin, J. L. (2024). The education of experience: Mixed methods evidence demonstrates the benefit of multiparity. Midwifery, 134, Article 104015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2024.104015
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2026). Preparing your older child for a new baby: How to help siblings adjust. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/Preparing-Your-Family-for-a-New-Baby.aspx
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2018). Optimizing postpartum care (ACOG Committee Opinion No. 736). Obstetrics & Gynecology, 131(5), e140–e150. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002633
Bai, (2024). Role of parenting status in the relationship between maternal depression and infant–mother attachment: A longitudinal cohort study in China. Nursing & Health Sciences, Article e13162. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.13162
Chen, C., Okawa, S., Okubo, R., (2024). Mother-to-infant bonding difficulties are associated with future maternal depression and child-maltreatment behaviors: A Japanese nationwide longitudinal study. Psychiatry Research, 334, Article 115814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115814
Guild, D. J., Alto, M. E., Handley, E. D., Rogosch, F., Cicchetti, D., & Toth, S. L. (2021). Attachment and affect between mothers with depression and their children: Longitudinal outcomes of child-parent psychotherapy. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 49(5), 563–577. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-020-00681-0
Madigan, S., Deneault, A.-A., Duschinsky, R., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., Schuengel, C., van IJzendoorn, M. H., Ly, A., Fearon, R. M. P., Eirich, R., & Verhage, M. L. (2024). Maternal and paternal sensitivity: Key determinants of child attachment security examined through meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 150(7), 839–872. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000433
Montealegre-Ramón, M. del P., Martínez-Fuentes, M. T., Pérez-López, J., & Sierra-García, P. (2024). Maternal sensitivity, early interactions and infant attachment: A systematic review. Early Child Development and Care, 194(11–12), 1093–1108. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2024.2386324
Sharifipour, F., Javadnoori, M., Behboodi Moghadam, Z., Najafian, M., Cheraghian, B., & Abbaspoor, Z. (2022). Interventions to improve social support among postpartum mothers: A systematic review. Health Promotion Perspectives, 12(2), 141–150. https://doi.org/10.34172/hpp.2022.18
Volling, B. L. (2012). Family transitions following the birth of a sibling: An empirical review of changes in the firstborn's adjustment. Psychological Bulletin, 138(3), 497–528. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026921