"Held and Heard": Supporting Parents Navigating Fragile Beginnings

"Held and Heard": Creating Space for Parents Navigating Feeding and Fragile Beginnings - Supporting Perinatal Mental Health in the Face of Medical Complexity and Feeding Challenges

Wednesday, February 25th, 2026

9:00am -12:15pm

Presenters Erica Carroll, LCSW-C & Sarah Miller, LCSW-C, PMH-C

Live, virtual presentation via Google Meet

This intermediate-level course is designed for mental health professionals with foundational knowledge in perinatal mental health who are seeking to deepen their understanding of how to support parents navigating complex postpartum experiences. The course centers on the unique psychological toll of unexpected beginnings, including NICU stays, feeding-related challenges, and prolonged uncertainty. Attendees will explore how these stressors impact caregiver identity, dyad attachment, and emotional regulation, and how these challenges may mimic or mask clinical symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Through case examples and reflective discussion, participants will learn how to support caregiver self-efficacy and resilience, examine their own boundaries and scope of practice and utilize client centered strategies. Attendees will leave better equipped to offer care that is compassionate, culturally responsive, and clinically sound for clients with unexpected postpartum beginnings.

This course earns a total of 3 CEs.

This course may be counted towards CEs for PMH-C renewals.

This course contains content at the intermediate level.

Check-in begins at 8:45 am, with the course starting at 9:00am.

Disability Access: If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.

For questions, concerns, or to request special accommodations, please call: 410-616-1834 ext. 500 or email maryalice@garneringchange.net.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the impact of feeding challenges and medical complications on caregiver mental health in the perinatal period.
• Examine how to maintain scope of practice and professional boundaries when supporting perinatal clients in interdisciplinary settings.
• Evaluate and apply trauma-informed, client-centered strategies to support caregiver mental health.

Agenda:

• 9:00 - Introductions
• 9:10 - Identify the impact of feeding challenges and medical complications on caregiver mental health in the perinatal period.
• 10:00 - Examine how to maintain scope of practice and professional boundaries when supporting perinatal clients in interdisciplinary settings.
• 10:45 - 15 minute break
• 11:00 - Evaluate and apply trauma-informed, client-centered strategies to support caregiver mental health.
• 12:00 – Questions and Discussion
• 12:15 Conclusion of Training

Course completion & CE information:

To earn CE credit, social workers and licensed professional counselors must attend the entire course and complete a course evaluation. Certificates of completion will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.

ASWB ACE Provider: Garnering Change Psychotherapy, Provider 1956, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 4/30/2025-4/30/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.

AASECT CE Provider: Garnering Change Psychotherapy, LLC is an AASECT CE Provider # 23-12-19-GCP (Expires 12/31/2025). Garnering Change is in the process for applying for renewal of AASECT CE Provider status in 2026.

Presenter Bios:

Erica Carroll, LCSW-C

Erica Carroll is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Social Work and has advanced training in perinatal mental health. She brings a wide range of professional experience supporting families navigating life after the NICU, along with her own lived experience as a parent of a medically complex child. Erica works at Kennedy Krieger Institute and is also the co-founder of The Healing Centered Collective, a group practice dedicated to providing holistic and culturally responsive mental health care. Her work focuses on perinatal mental health, pediatric medical social work, and support for couples and families, offering a safe and affirming space for healing and growth. Erica’s therapeutic approach is grounded in authenticity, active listening, and a belief in the power of community and connection. She integrates trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN), emotionally focused strategies, and strength-based practices to promote resilience, emotional well-being, and continuity of care.

Sarah Miller, LCSW-C, PMH-C

Sarah Miller is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Social Work and a certified Perinatal Mental Health specialist (PMH-C). She has worked as a clinical social worker for over 10 years with children and families. She specializes in supporting parents of children with developmental and medical challenges, including a particular focus on perinatal mental health for families navigating significant infant feeding issues. Sarah’s clinical practice is informed by training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Circle of Security, and Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN), guiding her work in supporting parents and the whole family system from a strengths-based lens. She works at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Sarah is deeply committed to supporting families during the earliest and most formative stages of life.

Pricing Options

Pricing includes 3 CEs for ASWB ACE credits.

Early Bird Pricing: Until 1/15/2026 - $60

Regular Pricing: 1/15 thru 2/24/2026 - $70

CANCELLATION POLICIES:

WHAT HAPPENS IF I’VE PAID FOR A WORKSHOP AND THEN CANNOT ATTEND?

Although we do not offer refunds, if you miss a workshop you’ve paid for, you can use your payment towards any future training provided by Garnering Change Psychotherapy. Contact our office before or after the missed class, so we are aware that you will be registering for a future workshop. Alternatively, if you would like to gift your registration to another participant, please contact our Continuing Education Director no later than 36-hours prior to the scheduled event.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A WORKSHOP IS CANCELLED?

Although it is not a common occurrence, a workshop may be canceled due to low registration, presenter emergency, or inclement weather. In those cases, participants will be notified as soon as possible - typically one week before the scheduled workshop - and if they have paid for the training, they will be given the option of either a full refund or applying the payment to another workshop. All participants will also receive a $25.00 discount off a future training to compensate for the inconvenience.

Additional questions can be emailed to Continuing Education Director, Mary Alice Reilly LMSW, at maryalice@garneringchange.net.