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Why Identity-Informed Care Matters in Perinatal Mental Health

Perinatal mental health care must reflect the diversity, identities, and lived experiences of the individuals and families we serve.



For many birthing people, perinatal mental health struggles are isolating, and the gaps in care can feel insurmountable. Up to 20% of birthing individuals experience Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)—but for people of color, these struggles are often underreported and inadequately treated due to stigma, systemic barriers, and a lack of culturally responsive care (Ammerman et al., 2022).


These disparities reflect broader biases in perinatal care, including inadequate pain management, delayed interventions, missed mental health referrals, and higher mortality rates. For therapy clients, experiencing such inequities can often erode their trust in providers, creating barriers to meaningful engagement in the therapeutic process.



Why Identity-Informed Practices Matter


Identity matters in therapy. Every individual brings their own culture, history, and lived experience into each session. Addressing these factors isn’t just a best practice—it’s the foundation of effective and ethical therapy.


As Dr. Janelle Peifer explains:

"From the beginning of the first time that you're doing an intake and taking a client's history, you're trying to situate their experiences, their symptoms, and what their presenting concerns are within the context of who they are and where they came from. That in and of itself is an identity-informed approach."

Research shows that culturally informed interventions—those that integrate identity, address systemic barriers, and honor clients’ strengths—lead to significantly better engagement and outcomes (Ammerman et al., 2022). The Listening to Mothers survey reinforces this, revealing that marginalized groups are more likely to feel unheard and unsupported during pregnancy and postpartum (Declercq et al., 2016). Without identity-informed practices, we risk perpetuating the very disparities we aim to heal.



From Ethical Mandate to Action


How do we integrate these principles into our clinical practice? Dr. Janelle Peifer, who teaches Ethical Inclusion in Perinatal Mental Healthcare, offers three practical pathways to action:


  • Make inclusion an ongoing process. Ethical inclusion isn’t a one-time task—it’s a practice. This work involves continuing to grow, ask questions, and expand your understanding of cultural humility in therapy.


  • Create spaces for curiosity and imperfection. One barrier to growth in inclusive practices is a fear of “getting it wrong.” Trainings like Dr. Peifer’s provide a safe, supportive environment where therapists can reflect, make mistakes, and grow without fear of judgment.


  • Integrate identity-informed care into every step of the process. From intake to assessment to treatment planning, therapy must consider the intersectional identities of clients, including culture, gender, family systems, and socioeconomic context. This work improves outcomes for clients across all backgrounds (Ammerman et al., 2022).



 

About the Training


Ethical Inclusion in Perinatal Mental Healthcare is available as both a live, interactive training and an on-demand course, offering flexible options to suit your schedule.


Don’t miss the next live session on January 28, 2025! Join us to engage in real-time discussions, ask questions, and connect with fellow professionals in a dynamic learning environment.


This course is designed to meet therapists wherever they are in their journey—whether you’re just beginning to explore equity-driven practices or looking to deepen your expertise in culturally informed care.


A focused individual with braided hair sits in a bright, modern space, reviewing papers and holding a notebook, conveying a moment of thoughtful work.

Ethical Inclusion in Perinatal Mental Healthcare

🗓️ Live on January 28, 2025 OR On-Demand

Expand your expertise with cultural and identity-informed approaches to inclusive perinatal mental health care.









 

About Janelle Peifer

Portrait of Dr. Janelle Peifer, a licensed clinical psychologist wearing glasses and a yellow top, smiling warmly with a teal circular frame in the background.

Janelle is a licensed clinical psychologist, educator, and founder of The Center for Inclusive Therapy + Wellness and Fleurish Psychotherapy. As an assistant professor at the University of Richmond, her work focuses on identity, culture, trauma, and equity in mental health care.


Dr. Peifer’s warm, approachable teaching style empowers professionals to integrate identity-informed practices into their work. With a commitment to culturally responsive care, she equips clinicians to provide impactful, equitable support for diverse communities.


Watch below for Janelle's insights on the ethical imperative of identity-informed care and how this training equips therapists with practical tools to improve outcomes for diverse clients.




Inclusive, identity-informed care isn’t just about addressing disparities, it’s about creating a therapeutic environment where all clients feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal. Whether you’re just beginning to explore these practices or looking to refine your skills, Ethical Inclusion in Perinatal Mental Healthcare offers the tools, guidance, and community you need to make meaningful change in your work.


Ready to take the next step? Register for the live session on January 28, 2025, or start the on-demand training today. Together, we can shape a future where equitable, culturally responsive care is at the heart of perinatal mental health.




 

References


Ammerman, R. T., Altaye, M., Putnam, F. W., Teeters, A. R., & Van Ginkel, J. B. (2022). Addressing disparities in maternal mental health care: The importance of culturally informed interventions. Current Psychiatry Reports, 24(3), 129–140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-022-01334-3


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Racial disparities in maternal mortality. CDC Women’s Health.https://www.cdc.gov/womens-health/features/maternal-mortality.html


Declercq, E., Sakala, C., Corry, M. P., Applebaum, S., & Herrlich, A. (2016). Listening to Mothers III: Pregnancy and Birth. National Partnership for Women & Families. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299113147_Recommendations_from_Listening_to_Mothers_The_first_national_US_survey_of_women's_childbearing_experiences

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