Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
“Each woman we treat represents a unique constellation of her own history and present experience which are woven together in the fabric of her story.”
—Karen Kleiman, Therapy and the Postpartum Woman
The Postpartum Stress Center is dedicated to ensuring that every person who seeks treatment for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders will feel affirmed, seen, heard, valued, and celebrated for who they are. We believe that therapy begins with a relationship, one that values deep respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of each human story. We recognize this as true regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, nationality, age, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, marital status, gender expression or identity, and socioeconomic status.
We further recognize that factors such as systemic racism, medical distrust, and social inequity impact access to mental healthcare. The Postpartum Stress Center is committed to working toward breaking down these barriers by offering affordable care both in person and via Telehealth and by maintaining ongoing training for every member of our staff in cultural humility. We embrace the growing diversity in our field and take seriously the role we as healthcare providers play in providing physically and psychologically safe spaces for all individuals. Further, we are committed to using the international reach of The Karen Kleiman Training Center to support and train maternal health providers and others who interact with new parents in the art of listening to, holding space for, and honoring the narrative of others.
Gender Statement:
The Postpartum Stress Center acknowledges the use of cis-gender female language in our website, training, and academic body of work. Karen Kleiman founded The Postpartum Stress Center and developed The Art of Holding Perinatal Women in Distress™ model of intervention in response to the work of D.W. Winnicott. Winnicott, a pediatrician and psychoanalyist, first used the terms “holding environment” and “good-enough mother” to describe certain conditions that are central to the healthy emotional development of infants. In her work, Kleiman has applied these concepts to the particular relationship between healthcare providers and new parents. To date, Kleiman’s use of cis-gender language is reflective of her intentional response to Winnicott’s work and the theoretical foundation of The Art of Holding.
However, The Postpartum Stress Center equally acknowledges the critical importance of intentional efforts to provide equitable space for all reproductive and birthing human beings, regardless of gender expression, gender identity, or sexuality. We are committed to expanding our offerings and theoretical foundations so that we may uphold our value of inclusivity and continue to provide leadership in the field of reproductive mental health.
We recognize that potential patients and trainees may have concerns, questions, or feedback on our current practices and offerings or thoughts they wish to share for future integration. We invite and encourage you to reach out to Hilary Waller, Director of Programming at hwaller@postpartumstress.com.