Therapy and the Postpartum Woman: Notes on Healing Postpartum Depression for Clinicians and the Women Who Seek their Help [Hardcover]

Karen Kleiman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 24, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0415989965 | ISBN-13: 978-0415989961 | Edition: 1

This book provides a comprehensive look at effective therapy for postpartum depression. Using a blend of professional objectivity, evidence-based research, and personal, straight-forward suggestions gathered from years of experience, this book brings the reader into the private world of therapy with the postpartum woman. Based on Psychodynamic and Cognitive-Behavioral theories, and on D.W. Winnicott's "good-enough mother" and the "holding environment" in particular, the book is written by a therapist who has specialized in the treatment of postpartum depression for over 20 years. Therapy and the Postpartum Woman will serve as a companion tool for clinicians and the women they treat.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Therapy and the Postpartum Woman is an essential resource for clinicians who work with postpartum women and the clients they serve. Postpartum mothers and those who love them will learn what questions to ask of caregivers and what educational and clinical experience to seek when choosing a therapist. By offering perinatal professionals and the women they serve an intimate view of the postpartum therapeutic experience, Kleiman's book creates a stellar benchmark for treatment quality and more efficacious outcomes." – Susan Stone, MSW, president, Postpartum Support, International and psychotherapist specializing in women's reproductive mental health

"A beacon of light and hope to women lost in the confusing world of postpartum depression, Therapy and the Postpartum Woman, is an invaluable tool for everyone engaged in the battle to help women cope with this devastating complication of childbirth. It is a resource that is destined to be at the right hand of any clinician whose mission is to ease the suffering of women with PPD and help them take those first steps on the road to recovery." – Liz Powell, director of the TLC (Talking Listening and Caring) for Moms perinatal depression program at Virtua Health in Southern New Jersey, USA

"[This book] provides tremendous breadth and depth of information, resources, theory, and interventions for treating this population. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist who works with women woth postpartum issues, I find her illustration of the types of distorted thoughts and beliefs of depressed mothers to be extensive and her focus on workable solutions right in line with my own experience with this population. Given the high incidence of depression and anxiety in postpartum women, and the potentially lethal consequences of these illnesses, this book is a must-read for any clinician working with mothers and mothers-to-be." - Antonia M. Pieracci, PhD., Senior Instructor, University of Colorado Depression Center

About the Author

Karen Kleiman, MSW, Licensed, Clinical Social Worker, author of This Isn’t What I Expected, The Postpartum Husband and What Am I Thinking? has been working with women and their families for over 20 years.  A native of Saint Louis, MO., Karen has lived in the Philadelphia area since 1982 with her two children and her husband.  In 1988 she founded The Postpartum Stress Center where she provides treatment for prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (July 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415989965
• ISBN-13: 978-0415989961
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Postpartum Depression

More About the Author

Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW, Founder & Executive Director of The Postpartum Stress Center (postpartumstress.com), Licensed, Clinical Social Worker, co-author of "This Isn't What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression" and "Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts" and author of "Therapy and the Postpartum Woman", (postpartumtherapy.net) "What Am I Thinking: Having a Baby After Postpartum Depression" and "The Postpartum Husband: Practical Solutions for Living with Postpartum Depression", has been working with women and their families for over 30 years.

A native of Saint Louis, MO., Karen has lived in the Philadelphia area since 1982 with her two children and her husband. After graduating in 1980 from the University of Illinois at Chicago with her Masters in Social Work, she began her practice as a psychotherapist, specializing in women's issues. In 1988 she founded The Postpartum Stress Center where she provides treatment for prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety. In 2009 New Jersey opened The Postpartum Stress & Family Wellness Center where they treat pregnant and postpartum women as well as children, adolescents and families.

In addition to her clinical practice, Karen provides specialized post-graduate training classes and inservices for healthcare professionals as well as consultation and supervision to therapists. She frequently lectures and continues to write on the topic of postpartum adjustment. Her work has been featured in local and national magazines, numerous radio shows, local and national television shows, "Inside Edition", The Oprah Winfrey Show and NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw.

Currently, Karen is affiliated with a number of on-line sites, where she writes articles, facilitates support chats and addresses concerns of postpartum and pregnant women. In addition to her work at The Postpartum Stress Center of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Karen maintains a general private practice where she treats individuals, couples and families.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Liz Goldman MD, September 2, 2008

By 

Elizabeth S. Goldman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Therapy and the Postpartum Woman: Notes on Healing Postpartum Depression for Clinicians and the Women Who Seek their Help (Hardcover)

As a psychiatrist who specializes in working with pregnant and postpartum women, I found this book to be an invaluable resource. Karen Kleiman's expertise resounds brilliantly throughout this immensely useful book. It not only reflects well upon Karen's scholarly and academic pursuit of guiding how best to alleviate suffering for the postpartum woman but it also is written in a straightforward and thoughtful manner that parallels Karen's compassion and warmth for the affected new mother. I recommend this book highly to all clinicians working in this field.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Book, August 20, 2008

By 

Debbie G. (Merion Station, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Therapy and the Postpartum Woman: Notes on Healing Postpartum Depression for Clinicians and the Women Who Seek their Help (Hardcover)

Having had a friend suffer from post partum depression many years ago, I wish that Karen's book had been available for both her and me. It is wonderful to know that there are so many resources available for women who suffer from this syndrome, and Karen's book covers those resources for both the therapist and the patient so very thoroughly.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kleiman continues to share her expertise, August 11, 2008

By 

Susan "Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW President,... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Therapy and the Postpartum Woman: Notes on Healing Postpartum Depression for Clinicians and the Women Who Seek their Help (Hardcover)

Karen Kleiman, MSW, continues to offer her insight and expertise to guide women and families struggling with perinatal mood disorders to the most effective help/resources. In Therapy and the Postpartum Woman, Kleiman answers important questions that often remain unasked when postpartum consumers seek therapeutic services - often for the first time. And for clinicians motivated to expand their specialty commitment to this population, the book is rich with clinical information and the most effective approaches to help clients feel heard and achieve recovery.

Kleiman's own commitment to postpartum women, which has endured over many years and resulted in the formation of the Postpartum Stress Center, has now brought us another excellent and timely publication. For as we begin to do a better job of identifying and assessing women suffering with pregnancy related mood disorders,treatment approaches must keep pace to maximize women's recovery options. The value of Kleimans book at this educational, legislative, awareness and prosocial juncture cannot be overestimated.

Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW

Chair, President's Advisory Council

Postpartum Support International

NJ HSS Certified Perinatal Mood Disorders Instructor