What Every Clinician Needs to Know About Reproductive Mental Health
Presenter: Monica Ashton, LCSW, PMH-C, CST
Date: June 9, 2026 | 2:00 PM MST
Format: Live, interactive synchronous webinar | 1 hour
Content Level: Beginner
Target Audience: Clinical Mental Health Providers, Medical Providers
CE Credits: 1 continuing education credit
Course Description
Reproductive mental health is one of the most underrepresented areas in clinical training — yet it touches nearly every population clinicians serve. This one-hour live training provides a foundational understanding of the psychological impact of reproductive experiences across the lifespan, equipping clinicians with the knowledge, language, and practical tools needed to support clients through some of life's most complex and often unspoken experiences.
Through expert-led instruction and trauma-informed clinical frameworks, participants will explore the full range of reproductive mental health experiences — including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, hormonal health conditions, infertility, alternative family building, and reproductive grief and loss. Special attention is given to pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons, and elective termination — with a focus on destigmatizing these experiences in the therapy room and creating space for clients to be seen, heard, and supported without judgment.
The training also invites clinicians to examine their own biases and gaps in knowledge that can unintentionally impact client care, and introduces practical strategies for incorporating inclusive intake questions, non-stigmatizing language, and trauma-informed approaches into clinical practice across diverse reproductive experiences.
This training is grounded in the core social work values of dignity and worth, the importance of human relationships, and a commitment to social justice — affirming that competent, compassionate reproductive mental health care is both an ethical obligation and a clinical imperative for providers across all settings and specializations.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this training, participants will be able to:
Identify the range of reproductive mental health experiences — including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, hormonal health conditions, infertility, pregnancy loss, and alternative family building — and recognize how these experiences may present in a clinical setting.
Apply a reproductive-informed lens to clinical practice by incorporating inclusive intake questions, non-stigmatizing language, and trauma-informed approaches when working with clients across diverse reproductive experiences.
Demonstrate increased awareness of personal biases and gaps in knowledge related to reproductive mental health, and identify appropriate referral resources and next steps for continued professional development in this area.
Limitations, Risks, & Benefits
This online training presents a foundational overview of the subject matter and is not intended to be comprehensive; clinicians seeking more advanced knowledge are encouraged to seek out supplemental resources and peer-reviewed literature. The virtual format may not fully replicate the interactivity of in-person learning. No significant risks are anticipated beyond those typically associated with online learning environments. Benefits include increased clinical confidence and competence in addressing reproductive mental health concerns, practical tools for trauma-informed and inclusive practice, and greater awareness of personal biases and referral pathways to support clients across diverse reproductive experiences.
About the Presenter
Monica Ashton, LCSW, PMH-C, CST, is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Perinatal Mental Health Specialist with expertise at the intersection of reproductive and sexual health. She supports individuals and couples through fertility challenges, pregnancy, postpartum transitions, reproductive loss, and intimacy concerns, combining evidence-based strategies with a warm, compassionate approach. In addition to her clinical work, Monica is an adjunct professor in Human Sexuality, Crisis Intervention, and Mental Health Practice, and offers professional training for clinicians nationwide. She is known for making complex, sensitive topics approachable and engaging while equipping professionals with practical tools they can immediately apply in practice.
Course Details
Delivery method: Live interactive webinar via the Institute learning platform
Course interactivity: Interactive — participants will engage in facilitated discussion, case examples, and Q&A
Posttest/quiz: Because this is a live interactive 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.
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 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.
AASECT ST:
E. Principles of consultation, collaboration, and referral.
This presentation has been reviewed by Kristin Hodson, LCSW, CST, CSTS to ensure it meets AASECT standards.