accessible Trainings for TherapistS

Evidence-BasedTrainings for Mental Health Professionals

Perinatal Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) Training

WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON
PERINATAL CLIENTS

FRIDAY NOV 6 & 13, 2026 | 8-4PM MDT
LIVE ON ZOOM | RECORDING WILL BE SENT
14 HOURS OF LEARNING | INVESTMENT: $199
QUALIFIES AS AN ADVANCED PERINATAL TRAINING FOR PMH-C THROUGH PSI
*NO CEUs AVAILABLE TO HELP KEEP TRAINING ACCESSIBLE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Hosted by Laurel Hicks, PhD, LCSW, PMH-C, this live, interactive training is designed for mental health professionals looking to deepen their understanding of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), with a special focus on working with perinatal clients. Dr. Hicks brings unique expertise, having received training directly from the late Nancy Grote, PhD, a pioneer in IPT for perinatal people, as well as implementing IPT in a NIMH-funded clinical trial.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is one of the two treatments recommended by the US Prevention Task Force to prevent perinatal depression. If you have any questions please use the contact form to reach out to Laurel.

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There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you ~ Maya Angelou

  • Tender moment of a mother holding her newborn child by a window, capturing love and warmth.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  • Core principles of IPT and how it addresses depression, anxiety, and interpersonal challenges..
  • Specific adaptations of IPT for perinatal clients, including addressing role transitions, role disputes, and grief related to pregnancy and postpartum, and complicated pregnancies.
  • Techniques for conducting effective IPT sessions, building a therapeutic alliance, and supporting perinatal mental health.
  • Special considerations for working with partners and families, and strategies for termination and relapse prevention.
  • A breakdown on key components of IPT for each client session so there is an easy to follow framework.
  • How to use check sheets to keep you on track with offering IPT to fidelity.

SUMMARY OF TRAINING

  • Identify the basic principles of IPT
  • Summarize the research literature regarding IPT
  • Treat patients using IPT principles
  • Identify patients for whom IPT would be an appropriate treatment
  • Conduct an Engagement Session
  • Conduct an Interpersonal Inventory
  • Create an Interpersonal Formulation and Summary
  • Describe the Biopsychosocial/Cultural/Spiritual model
  • Conduct a Role Play
  • Describe Role Disputes
  • Conduct Communication Analysis
  • Create a Transition Timeline
  • Describe the conclusion of IPT and maintenance treatment
  • Describe the 4 Attachment styles used in IPT
  • Describe the 3 IPT Problem Areas and strategies for addressing them
  • Describe the IPT approach for grief and loss
  • Understand the problem area of Complicated Pregnancy
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About your trainer

Laurel Hicks, PhD, LCSW, PMH-C brings nearly two decades of specialized experience in perinatal mental health to her teaching. Her path into this work began in 2007 as a prenatal yoga and meditation teacher, then deepened as she trained as a labor doula — an experience that led her to pursue a Master of Social Work, which she earned in 2012. She has practiced clinically ever since, with a career-long focus on the mental health of pregnant and postpartum individuals.

Laurel went on to complete a dual-titled PhD in Social Work and Infant Mental Health in 2017, with research centered on the risk and resiliency factors shaping mental health outcomes for perinatal parents exposed to contextual risk. During her doctoral training, she completed a clinical internship at the University of Michigan’s OB/Peds clinic under the mentorship of Maria Muzik, MD, and later a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Denver with Elysia Poggi Davis, PhD.

Her postdoctoral work placed her at the center of a major NIMH-funded clinical trial investigating the intergenerational benefits of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for depressed pregnant individuals. As part of this fellowship, she trained directly under Nancy Grote, PhD — a pioneering researcher and trainer in perinatal IPT — and went on to serve as a clinical therapist delivering IPT to pregnant participants in the trial. Additionally, she has taught perinatal IPT in the PsyD program at University of Denver.

Laurel remains an active contributor to the perinatal mental health field, with an ongoing record of peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and presentations at national and international conferences.