6 Hr Holding Training
An Introduction to The Art of Holding Perinatal Women in Distress™️
About This Training
This six-hour virtual training offers an immersive introduction to The Art of Holding Perinatal Women in Distress™-a specialized therapeutic framework developed by Karen Kleiman, MSW, and taught by Rachel Brabec, LCSW, co-founder of the PPSC Holding Coalition. Designed to expand access to this essential approach for clinicians around the world, this course explores how to be with, rather than do for, mothers in distress.
Through lecture, discussion, and case illustration, participants will learn how to integrate Holding principles into clinical practice to foster safety, attunement, and emotional containment. Key concepts include understanding Holding Points and Elements, the therapeutic use of self, and the MAGIC of presence within the Holding framework. Emphasis is placed on how to stay grounded in the face of maternal pain, avoid overpathologizing distress, and strengthen the therapist’s capacity for compassionate containment.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to create a safe, healing space for perinatal women—one that honors their strength, validates their struggle, and promotes resilience and recovery.
This course is not a prerequisite for the 12 Hour Advanced Training with Karen Kleiman.
Learning Objectives
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Distinguish perinatal distress from general mood disorders by recognizing unique features like ego-dystonic intrusive thoughts and postpartum identity shifts.
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Apply the principles of The Art of Holding to build attunement, containment, and therapeutic trust with distressed perinatal clients.
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Utilize Holding Points as a clinical framework for navigating PMADs.
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Attune to hidden or unspoken suffering without defaulting to reassurance or solutions.
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Deepen self-awareness of therapist vulnerability and countertransference to stay emotionally present and effective.
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Integrate psychoeducation and normalizing language to reduce shame and support symptom–self separation.
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Practice co-regulation through intentional presence and emotional steadiness to help clients feel safe, seen, and empowered.
Who Should Attend
This training is for health care providers including but not limited to:
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Social Workers, Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists
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Psychologists
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Physicians including Psychiatrists, OB/GYNs, and Pediatricians
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Nurse Practitioners and Nurses
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Midwives
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Doulas
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Lactation Consultants
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Other professionals who work with perinatal parents
Ideally, participants will have some previous training in the field of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and/or experience working with perinatal patients.
Course Fees
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$599 ** prices are in US Dollars **
CE Credits
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The Postpartum Stress Center, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7461. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Postpartum Stress Center, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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This course is approved to meet Advanced Criteria for the Postpartum Support International PMH-C certification.
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All others are encouraged to contact their state licensing board for information regarding CE approval in a particular professional discipline. We will be happy to provide any information they may request.
Course Instructor
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Rachel Brabec, MS, LIMHP
Cancellation Policy
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Any changes with registration must be made 30 days in advance of the training date with an administrative fee of $50.00.
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100% of your registration fee (minus $50 admin fee) can be transferred to a future training if changes occur prior to 30 days of your scheduled training date.
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This credit will expire one (1) year from the date of the original training. Note that each participant is only entitled to one rescheduled registration.
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All registrations are final within 30 days of the scheduled training date. No refunds or transfers will be issued if cancellation occurs within that timeframe.
Where is the Training Held?
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This is a VIRTUAL training offered via Zoom.
