Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW

Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW, is an internationally recognized expert in perinatal mental health and one of the pioneering voices in the treatment of postpartum depression and anxiety disorders. For more than three decades, her work has educated clinicians, supported families, and helped shape the field of perinatal mental health.

In 1988, Karen founded The Postpartum Stress Center, LLC, one of the nation's first treatment centers dedicated exclusively to prenatal and postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and related disorders. There, she continues to provide psychotherapy to individuals and couples experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She is also the founder of The Karen Kleiman Training Center, LLC, where she provides advanced post-graduate education for mental health professionals seeking specialized training in perinatal mental health.

Karen received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1980 and has practiced clinical social work for more than four decades. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to advancing both clinical care and professional education.

Her work has been featured extensively in national and international media. She has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, and Inside Edition, and has been interviewed or featured by numerous publications including SELF, Fit Pregnancy, Parenting, Working Mother, Mothering, and Star magazine. She has also collaborated with Alanis Morissette through podcast and social media appearances to increase awareness and understanding of perinatal emotional distress.

Karen is the author and co-author of numerous influential books for both clinicians and parents. Her first book, This Isn't What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression (co-authored with Dr. Valerie Davis Raskin), was among the first self-help books devoted to postpartum depression and remains a foundational resource. Additional titles include The Postpartum Partner, What Am I Thinking? Having a Baby After Postpartum Depression, Therapy and the Postpartum Woman, Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts (with Amy Wenzel), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Perinatal Distress, Tokens of Affection, and The Perinatal Patient. She has also contributed chapters and expert commentary to several parenting publications.

Among Karen's most significant contributions is the GOOD MOMS book series, published by Familius. Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts (2019) has remained one of the best-selling books on postpartum depression since its release and has become an essential resource for new parents navigating intrusive thoughts. The series continued with What About Us? (2021), addressing the impact of parenthood on relationships, and Unchecked (2026), an illustrated guide to postpartum OCD and intrusive thoughts.

Karen's most recent professional contribution is the development of The Art of Holding Perinatal Women in Distress™ (AOH), a relational model of psychotherapy designed specifically for the treatment of perinatal emotional suffering. The model serves as the foundation of the educational programs offered through The Karen Kleiman Training Center and has become a sought-after framework for clinicians seeking to deepen therapeutic presence, strengthen clinical skills, and better understand maternal suffering. Karen is currently leading research examining the effectiveness and clinical impact of the AOH model and continues to work toward improving care for all parents through treatment, education, and advocacy.