Training FAQs

Join our growing community of Holding-informed professionals committed to

relational, emotionally attuned care for perinatal women.

Attend one of our 6-Hour and/or 12-Hour Trainings on The Art of Holding Perinatal Women in Distress™

What You Need To Know

1. What are the key differences between the 6-hour and 12-hour The Art of Holding (AOH) trainings?

	6-Hour Training	12-Hour Training
Focus	Core Art of Holding training exploring all components with clinical application	Advanced training and experiential learning, including history of AOH, rationale, and implementation in the therapeutic space
Instructor	Rachel Brabec, LIMHP, PMH-C, CPC	Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW Ashlee Adams, MSW, LCSW
Format	In-Person or Virtual	One Virtual and One In-Person session each year
Includes	Discussion of Holding Points, holding elements, therapist therapist vulnerability, theory, application and practice, cultural considerations, breakout sessions	Case consultation, therapist presence, countertransference, breakout and role-playing sessions
CE Credits	Yes	Yes
Mentoring	Optional participation in post-training monthly mentoring group via zoom with Karen Kleiman	Optional post-training one-time group mentoring with Karen Kleiman via zoom. Option for ongoing participation in monthly mentoring group via zoom with Karen Kleiman

2. Who should attend each training?

6-Hour Training: Best for clinicians and healthcare providers who have experience with psychotherapy with perinatal population. A rich, engaging exploration of AOC concepts that will deepen clinical insight, enhance therapeutic presence, and help clinicians respond more intentionally to perinatal distress.

12-Hour Training: Designed to be an advanced clinical exploration of The Art of Holding for clinicians who are ready to bring its principles to life in their work. This immersive experience, led by Karen Kleiman, goes far beyond theory—it’s a deeply personal, clinically rich journey into the heart of therapeutic presence. Through experiential learning, self-reflection, and real-time engagement with Holding concepts, clinicians will gain greater confidence in their ability to contain emotional complexity and deepen their therapeutic presence. Additionally, clinicians will learn to trust themselves more fully in the face of high maternal distress which will improve the process and the outcome for both the client and the therapist. This is not just training—it’s a transformational experience that will redefine how you see your work, your clients, and yourself.

3. How often are these trainings offered?

6-Hour Training: Offered virtually and in-person, with select dates (see registration page)

12-Hour Training: Offered twice (1x) virtually and once (1) in-person each year.

4. Are CE credits available for all trainings?

Yes. Both trainings are eligible for CE credits and meet criteria for advanced credit toward Postpartum Support International PMH-C certification and NBCC. The 12-Hour Virtual Training is also approved by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

5. What is the mentoring option available with each Training?

Participants of the 12-Hour Advanced Training may be eligible for exclusive post-training mentoring with Karen Kleiman. This opportunity allows for ongoing, monthly, clinical consultation, deeper integration of the Holding model, and personalized guidance in applying the approach to real-world cases. Participants of the 6-Hour Training will be provided a [1 Hour] group mentoring session with Karen after the Training. Individual mentoring with Karen Kleiman is available when her schedule permits. Applications can be found on the website.

6. What makes these trainings unique?

All trainings are grounded in The Art of Holding Perinatal Women in Distress™, a distinctive model developed by Karen Kleiman. This approach goes beyond clinical technique to focus on the emotional experience of both client and therapist.

What sets it apart:

Concentrated study of the nuanced components and relational dynamics that both inspire and impede the therapeutic process when working with perinatal women.
A focus on the therapeutic relationship as the intervention. The Holding model centers not just on what you do, but how you do it—your skilled presence becomes the primary healing tool.
Our trainings encourage therapists to examine the role of countertransference and how their own reproductive history influences how well they are able to hold with authenticity and clarity.
Attention to the subtle, often unspoken dynamics in perinatal work. Holding provides precise skills for accessing and attuning to what is beneath the surface.
Participants are encouraged to engage in personal insight work and reflect on how, who they are, impacts how they work.
These trainings are always live and highly interactive. The 6 Hour and especially the 12 Hour trainings utilize significant case consultation and provide options to practice what is learned in role playing breakout sessions.

7. Are any of the trainings prerequisites for the others?

No. None of the trainings are formal prerequisites for the others. Each course is designed to stand alone and can be taken independently based on your experience level and learning goals. However, many participants find it helpful to follow a progression:

6-Hour Training – a deep dive into foundational concepts and clinical applications.
12-Hour Training – the first half of this session is focused around the deeper dive into foundational concepts and clinical applications in the 6 Hour Training, the second half of the session is focused on advanced clinical integration, experiential learning, and access to mentoring.

This sequence allows for a more comprehensive understanding, but you are welcome to begin with any training that aligns with your current needs, experience and interest.