The Perinatal Pandemic & The Family

TITLE: The Perinatal Pandemic & The Family

Friday, August 12, 2022 9:00AM, ZOOM AND In-person at: Our Lady of the Lake University Houston, 600 North Sam Houston Pkwy W, Houston, TX 77067

DESCRIPTION: The impact of the global pandemic in families continues to show long-term systemic impact. This presentation takes an in-depth look at complications with treating perinatal clients during the pandemic, and the impact of the pandemic on perinatal mood & anxiety disorders (PMADs). Treatment approaches and symptom assessment are also covered.

OBJECTIVES: At the conclusion of the activity, the participants should be able to:

• Participants will obtain a fundamental breakdown of perinatal mood & anxiety disorders.
  
• Participants will receive a breakdown of treatment options for working with PMADs.
  
• Participants will leave with a working knowledge of the pandemic impact on perinatal populations.

PRESENTER BIO:

Lorissa received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 2010. A self-described “birth nerd,” she began her journey into motherhood in 2008 with the birth of her first of four children. As new parents without family locally, it was a struggle for she and her husband to find resources for mental health support following a traumatic birth. So, Lorissa joined local birth/breastfeeding groups, and she subsequently attended trainings for doula and lactation support to further enhance her professional capacity as a therapist. Lorissa then chose to specialize her practice and focus her passion by supporting the mental wellness of mothers and their families in the Greater Houston Area. She joined CPFH in the Fall of 2016.

Lorissa is a member of the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) and fiercely believes in helping women make educated and informed choices about their pregnancy, birth provider, and preferences for childbirth when possible. Lorissa is an active member of the Houston Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (HAMFT) and the Texas Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (TAMFT). She is recognized by Postpartum Support International as a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist (PMH-C) with advanced training and experience working with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). She periodically speaks at local moms’ groups and presents at conferences each year on PMADs. Lorissa strives to create a nurturing and safe place for clients to feel heard, validated, and empowered. Her areas of special interest include but are not limited to birth trauma, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, partner support systems therapy, and parenting education. Lorissa is a Level II EMDR clinician, as recognized by the EMDRIA training model - this enhances her ability to work with perinatal trauma, and a variety of other negative experiences. Lorissa is a state approved LMFT-Supervisor, and she is currently accepting applications from potential MFT interns that have a passion for working with perinatal populations. She works in the CPFH North Office location in The Woodlands.