The realities of racial disparities in pregnancy and childbirthing experiences among Black women

Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT

  • Course Description

    Maternal mental health has gained significant traction and become a popular topic of discussion in the media and socially. Did you know that Black women are significantly at greater risk for negative outcomes following childbirth? Black women have lost their lives following childbirth at disproportionate rates when compared to White women, often from preventable causes. This interview seeks to give voice to the experiences of Black women and shed light on this important topic while covering themes around motherhood and mothering as a Black woman in America. Suggestions on how helping professionals can best provide a supportive space of healing for this population are also discussed.

    Note: This episode uses various terms to describe people who gestate and chestfeed, including terms like women, mothering, breastfeeding, childbirthing people, etc. Please note that the terminology to describe child birthing people is continually evolving; we encourage use of lexicon that is specific to each individual and his/her/their self-identification. We also want to note that this episode includes discussion of medical emergencies and traumatic experiences relating to childbirth.

  • Learning Objectives

    Upon completing this course, participants will be able to: Describe maternal mental health; Identify disparities in Black maternal health and the sociocultural implications; Identify two or more ways that therapists can best support pregnant Black women and/or those who have experienced difficult childbirth(s) and/or trauma


    Target Audience and Instructional Level
    This course is intended for psychologists, therapists, social workers, clinical counselors, and addiction counselors. Instructional level: Intermediate

  • How To Take This Course

    In order to receive a certificate of completion reflecting the associated CE credit hour, you must:
    #1: Have an active paid Clearly Clinical membership
    #2: Listen to the corresponding course podcast
    #3: Achieve a passing grade on the post-presentation test (the test has up to ten questions and you must earn a score of at least 80%; you are able to re-test)
    #4: Complete the requested course evaluation.

    Course elements (including the course audio, post-test, and requested course evaluation) can be completed on a computer or mobile device via your Clearly Clinical account.

  • Course Format

    This high-quality and interesting course contains a one-hour, non-interactive audio podcast presentation which is available for free via all major public podcast providers. You can also listen to and download the file via our course player.

  • Commercial Support

    There is no known commercial support or conflict of interest for this CE program, presenter, sponsor, instructor, or content. The instructor references their own resources as a potential option for further learning.

  • Certificate Access Details

    Once you've completed the course, your certificate will automatically populate in the 'Certificate' section of your account; it will also be emailed to you. Access to completion certificate will expire 365 days after issuance. Course certificates will be on file for ten (10) years from date of course completion.

  • Accommodations

    If you have special needs or need an accommodation, please email us at info@clearlyclinical.com and we will do our best to assist you.

Interviewer and Interviewee

Dr. Lyneia Richardson, Licensed Psychologist

Postpartum Mental Health Expert

Dr. Lyneia Richardson is a mama, healer, and licensed psychologist dedicated to helping melanated women and mamas find ways to reconnect to their mind, body, and spirit. She received her B.A. in psychology from North Carolina A & T State University, M.S. in mental health counseling from Johns Hopkins University, and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Howard University.
Following the birth of her first-born child, she became passionate about maternal mental health. Her clinical approach is client-centered, placing special emphasis on the interpersonal process, while her research has centered around Black women.
She is the owner of Melanated Women’s Therapy, LLC and an assistant professor of counseling. As a mama of two herself, her goal is to help redefine and break stigmas about mothering and motherhood, especially for melanated mamas.

Please visit her at MelanatedWomenLLC.com and Facebook.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Irias, MS, LMFT

Interviewer & Clearly Clinical Founder

Elizabeth 'Beth' Irias (she/her) is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and the Founder and President of Clearly Clinical. She has specializations in Clinical Documentation, Best Practice, and Utilization Review, and works closely with clinical teams across the US as a trainer and national conference presenter; Beth was formerly an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University in the Graduate Psychology and Education department. Licensed in California and Oregon, she provides therapy via her private practice to young adult and adult clients, members of the LGBTQ population, and those with addictive disorders. She has two young children, a super cool spouse who helps out with Clearly Clinical's tech, and a rescue dog.

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