5 Hours / 5 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Introduction to Maternal Mental Health is presented by Alinne Barrera, PhD.

This program provides participants with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of and mastery of the learning outcomes of the program. This program is broad enough to enable the psychological area to be applied to both social action and business, depending on the degree program of the participant. 

The topics are broad, requiring participants to bring together the theories, practices, concepts, and ideas that have been explored in earlier work and the experiences they have gained in their internship or practical experiences.

 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe comprehensive understanding and application of key concepts, and principles in psychology’s major content domains (e.g., Developmental, Cognitive, Social, Biological)
  • 2 Describe an understanding of research design and statistics
  • 3 Describe the ability to design, conduct, and critically review and interpret research studies
  • 4 Describe effective writing for psychological research and application
  • 5 Describe effective presentation skills for psychological research and application
  • 6 Describe issues of cultural and individual diversity in psychological application
  • 7 Describe cultural and individual diversity in research
  • 8 Describe ethical competency through applying ethical principles and standards in the application of psychology as part of their professional development
  • 9 Describe values that build community and prioritize social responsibility
  • 10 Describe depression and anxiety in the general population and, specifically, within maternal mental health

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health and allied professionals who wish to integrate and apply their knowledge and skills in their practice. It is suitable for those specializing in clinical psychology, counseling, social work, or applied psychology, as well as those in related fields who utilize psychological principles in their work.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Psychologist
    • Counselor
    • Therapist
    • Social Worker
    • Case Manager
    • Applied Psychology Practitioner

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

    • Beginner:
    • Recently completed foundational coursework and/or initial internship or practicum experiences
    • Developing understanding of key psychological concepts, research design, and ethical standards
    • Building skills in effective writing, presentation, and application of psychological principles
    • Gaining awareness of cultural and individual diversity, and issues such as depression and anxiety, including within maternal mental health

    • Intermediate:
    • Some experience integrating theories and practices from coursework and applied settings
    • Able to design, conduct, and critically review research studies
    • Demonstrates effective communication of psychological research and application
    • Applies ethical principles and recognizes the importance of social responsibility and diversity

    • Advanced:
    • Demonstrates mastery of learning outcomes and comprehensive application across social action and business contexts
    • Synthesizes complex theories, research, and practical experiences
    • Leads initiatives addressing cultural and individual diversity, ethical competency, and community values
    • Provides advanced analysis of depression and anxiety, including within specialized populations such as maternal mental health

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals who complete this training typically work in environments that support psychological assessment, intervention, and consultation. These settings are designed to facilitate client-centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the application of psychological principles to diverse populations. Workplaces may range from clinical and community-based environments to organizational and educational contexts, allowing practitioners to address mental health, social, and behavioral needs across various client groups. The environment often emphasizes confidentiality, ethical practice, and cultural competence, with opportunities for both individual and group work, research, and program development.

    • Outpatient mental health clinics
    • Private therapy practices
    • Hospitals and integrated healthcare systems
    • Community mental health centers
    • School counseling offices and university counseling centers
    • Social service agencies
    • Nonprofit organizations focused on mental health or social action
    • Employee assistance programs (EAPs) within businesses
    • Correctional facilities or rehabilitation centers
    • Research institutions or academic settings
    • Maternal and perinatal mental health programs

Presented By

Alinne Barrera, PhD, Full Professor at PAU and the Director of the PhD Clinical Psychology Program.

Alinne Barrera, PhD is a California licensed clinical psychologist. She is an expert clinician and researcher whose scholarly work focuses on depression prevention, intervention adaptations, and the use of technology to disseminate perinatal mental health resources and interventions. Dr. Barrera is an internationally known expert trainer and consultant on the implementation of the Mothers and Babies Course (MB) which was recognized by the US Preventive Services Task Force as an evidence-based prevention intervention for high-risk perinatal persons. She created and empirically tested the first digital versions of the MB, the Mothers and Babies Online Course (www.eMB.health) and the BabyText Program (SMS version). Dr. Barrera previously served as an Executive Board Member and Clinical Advisor at the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health and on the Clinical Advisory Board to digital platform companies (EmmaWell, Canopie). Most recently, she served as Chief of the Adult Psychosocial Interventions Research Program in the Division of Services and Intervention Research at the National Institute of Mental Health, where she managed a portfolio of extramural grants and provided technical assistance for clinical trials focused on developing, adapting, and implementing evidence-based treatments in real-world settings. Alinne Barrera, PhD joined the PAU faculty in 2009. She is a Full Professor and the Director of the PhD Clinical Psychology Program.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Alinne Barrera, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Demonstrating Mastery of Learning Outcomes
    Opportunity to showcase comprehensive knowledge and skills
    Alignment with program objectives

  • Application Across Contexts
    Relevance to both social action and business domains
    Flexibility based on participants' degree focus

  • Integration of Theoretical and Practical Learning
    Synthesis of theories, practices, and concepts
    Drawing from coursework and applied internship/practical experiences

Earning a Certificate

This is a badge-earning program, which means it will help you earn a certificate that can be showcased on digital platforms like LinkedIn.
View Certificates

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.