FamilyWell Launches Coach Certification Program to Expand Mental Health Support for New Parents
by Danielle Reynolds-Flatt, Digital Marketing Director at FamilyWell.
Amidst a critical shortage of resources to provide mental health support for pregnant and postpartum individuals, FamilyWell is excited to announce the launch of the first Perinatal Behavioral Health Certification (PBHC) Program aimed at increasing the number of qualified coaches in the field, which will expand access to mental health support for new and expecting parents globally.
The Need for Perinatal Behavioral Health Coaches
Statistics paint a stark reality: one in five new mothers in the United States experiences postpartum depression, yet 75% remain untreated. And families suffer tremendously as a result. At the root of this crisis is a shortage of mental health providers, which is why FamilyWell is training a workforce of certified coaches to step in and offer specialized mental health support to parents who are struggling.
What is a Perinatal Behavioral Health Coach?
Perinatal Behavioral Health Coaches work directly with parents to ease their transition into parenthood. Coaches provide emotional support, validation, education on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), concrete coping tools, wellness strategies, and mental health screenings during pregnancy and through the first year postpartum. They help parents struggling with depression, anxiety, birth trauma, loss, overwhelm, grief, relationships, going back to work, and more.
About the Program
FamilyWell’s Perinatal Behavioral Health Certification (PBHC) Program welcomes people from all backgrounds, and participants are not required to have clinical experience to enroll. After completing this program, participants will be equipped with the necessary skills to support pregnant and postpartum individuals suffering from PMADS, including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, among others.
The curriculum combines evidence-based coaching practices with essential perinatal mental health education. It also includes interactive mentorship sessions, providing hands-on coaching skill application facilitated by industry experts and community members with lived experience. Our unique mentorship component ensures that anyone who completes our program feels prepared to deliver high-quality, compassionate, and evidence-based coaching care.
Our program, expertly developed by thought leaders such as Hilary Waller, author of The Perinatal Patient: A Compassionate Approach to Treating Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, and Related Disorders, offers participants self-paced training modules encompassing core perinatal concepts, complemented by case studies and assessments. The program is flexible and accessible, enabling participants from diverse backgrounds to engage at their own pace and at an affordable price.
FamilyWell's Perinatal Behavioral Health Certification Program is now open for enrollment!
Enroll today
Learn more about the program
Quotes from Key Contributors
"Our society is facing an unprecedented maternal mental health crisis. The shortage of providers trained to support new parents and their unique emotional challenges further compounds the problem. Our Perinatal Behavioral Health Certification Program is FamilyWell’s response to fill the workforce shortage. By providing comprehensive training and hands-on mentorship, we aim to empower individuals to meet the needs of birthing people and their families during this vulnerable time." -Dr. Jessica Gaulton, CEO & Founder, FamilyWell
"This Perinatal Behavioral Health Certification Program not only fosters provider knowledge, but offers a comprehensive trickle down approach to shared empowerment from provider to patient while nurturing the resilience and strengths of flourishing families. FamilyWell’s offering isn’t just an option, it is a necessity for any person working to heal and restore in the birthing space.” -Dr. Millicent Rose, PBHC Program Instructor
What Participants are Saying
“Soak up all this great information, it is SO needed and valuable. The perinatal population is a vulnerable one that deserves as many professionals as possible to provide their support and guidance.” -Mackenzi, Program Participant
"This course is an accessible way to increase your knowledge of perinatal mental wellness and the action steps to take to support this population.” -Stacey, Program Participant
“The information is comprehensive but accessible even for people with no clinical or therapeutic background.” -Danielle, Program Participant
