Clinical Considerations with New & Expecting Dads (2 CEs)

PLEASE NOTE: we are an approved provider of CE Credits for clinical psychologists in the state of New York. At this time we cannot provide CE credits to any other form of mental health professional. However, if you are not a licensed doctoral level clinician in the state of New York you can still attend this course out of interest by purchasing a "General Admission" ticket.

Topic: This course will cover clinical themes relevant for work with patients preparing for and entering into fatherhood, including mental health vulnerabilities, relationship issues, and identity conflicts that frequently arise with new fathers. The concepts will integrate contemporary research with psychodynamic themes from therapy with new fathers.

Course Description: The transition to fatherhood has historically received little attention in both medical and mental health settings. However, recent research has emphasized that new fathers experience major developmental changes in the transition to fatherhood and are vulnerable to mental health challenges during this transition. Though fathers are vulnerable to PMADS, medical and mental health settings have been slow to screen and provide adequate support for this population. This course aims to sensitize clinicians to specific concerns that may arise in patients who are new fathers or preparing for fatherhood; to accomplish this aim, the course provides basic screening tools for paternal mental health as well as psychodynamic, relational, and neurobiological insights that may aid clinicians working with new fathers.

Location, Date & Time: Virtual (via Zoom), July 15,12pm-2pm (120 minutes)

Teaching Methods: The course will include lecture format, inclusive of updated research findings and review of clinical screening tools; clinical vignettes utilized to demonstrate psychodynamic themes; and Q&A.

Learning Objectives: At the completion of this course participants will be able to:

1. Identify common clinical themes relevant to the transition to fatherhood
2. Screen for clinical features of paternal PMADs
3. Identify basic neurobiological correlates of transition to fatherhood
4. Identify common relationship challenges related to transition to fatherhood
5. Provide foundational psychoeducation and resources to patients who are new/expecting fathers

Costs, Refunds, and Cancellation Policies: The fee for this course will be $40 for the 2 hour course. Refunds will be provided for cancellations made in writing up to 3 business days prior to the start of the event.

Length of Course in Contact Hours: 120 min (2 CE Units)

Presenter: Ali Shames-Dawson, Ph.D.

Qualifications: Dr. Shames-Dawson is a New York State licensed Clinical Psychologist, Sex and Sexuality specialist and Supervising Psychologist at Therapists of New York, a group private practice in Manhattan, NY. Dr. Shames-Dawson’s clinical work and research focus on male development over lifespan with focus on gender socialization, sexuality, and intimacy. Her dissertation on men’s responses to the #MeToo moment was recognized with an outstanding research award from the American Psychological Association Division 51 Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Boys. Dr. Shames-Dawson was previously a senior associate at the Sexuality, Attachment, and Trauma project, where she received specialized training in psychodynamic approach to intimacy and sexual issues. At TNY, she has led a psychoeducation and process group called “Becoming Fathers.” Dr. Shames-Dawson is adjunct faculty in clinical psychology at the New School for Social Research, where she teaches courses on sex, gender, and sexuality.