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Building Empathy and Trust: Supporting NICU Parents on Their Emotional Journey

Even if you're a seasoned perinatal professional, unless you've parented an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), it's difficult to grasp the emotional journeys families experience during their NICU stay and beyond. Developing a deep understanding and empathy for these families is essential to provide them with the best possible care and support.



Our upcoming live-streamed course, NICU Parenting: A Practitioner's Guide to Working with Families in the NICU and Beyond is designed to help perinatal professionals like you navigate this complex landscape. Join renowned clinicians and co-authors, Mara Tesler Stein, PsyD, PMH-C, and developmental psychologist Deborah L. Davis, PhD, on May 15-17, 2023 for an informative and engaging workshop that will boost your competence and confidence in supporting NICU parents and families.


Based on their books, "Parenting Your Premature Baby & Child: The Emotional Journey" and "Intensive Parenting: Surviving the Emotional Journey through the NICU," this course will delve into crucial topics, such as:

  • Perinatal crisis, grief, and trauma

  • Quality care of parents in the NICU and beyond

  • Evaluating, supporting, and interacting with parents

  • Therapeutic approaches that support parenting, adjustment, and healing

  • The strengths, limitations, callings, defenses, and biases you bring to your job

Understanding the nuanced emotional journey parents and families are experiencing is crucial for providing compassionate care.


Whatever your role in touching the lives of NICU families - whether you are a neonatologist, postpartum doula, therapist, social worker, or public health nurse - this training will provide you with the insight and skills needed to deepen your compassion and understanding of your NICU families during their most challenging times.


Click the button below to learn more about our course faculty, CE credits, and what will be covered.