Paternal Perinatal Mental Health: Yes, It's a Thing and What to Do About It

In this course participants will receive key information regarding paternal perinatal mental health with an emphasis on psychosocial dynamics and evidence-based interventions with fathers. Psychotherapists, medical providers, and allied birth professionals will gain valuable knowledge of the key psychological, interpersonal, and systems-level factors related to fathers as they navigate the “dude-to-dad” transition. Participants will learn to apply father-sensitive approaches to psychotherapy, screening, case conceptualization, and treatment planning with fathers.

Learning Objectives: During this course participants will gain foundational knowledge about the psychology of early fatherhood with an emphasis on the father’s role in his family system and involvement with his infant.

1. Describe key myths and facts regarding fathers’ mental health during the perinatal period

2. List appropriate screening and assessment instruments when working with dads

3. Apply key clinical interventions related to assertive communication, self-care, and relationship hygiene with new and expectant fathers.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Singley is a board-certified psychologist, researcher, and widely recognized thought leader in the field of men’s mental health and perinatal psychology. He is the Founding Director of The Center for Men’s Excellence in San Diego, where he specializes in men’s issues, new fatherhood, and the transition to parenthood. Dr. Singley is a Past President of the American Psychological Association’s Society for the Psychology of Men and Masculinities, and is currently the Council Representative for SPMM while chairing a grant-funded task force to increase male participation in psychology. He also serves as Chair of the Advisory Council for Postpartum Support International. He has received APA awards for Practitioner of the Year and for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology. His award-winning research has been published in leading journals, shaping how clinicians and policymakers approach men’s behavioral health. A dynamic speaker and sought-after consultant, he has been featured in outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Huff Post, NPR, and Fox News. His mission is to break down barriers to mental health for men, equipping them with the tools to thrive as partners, fathers, and individuals. He conducts trainings and presentations around the country to assist individuals and organizations to enhance their level of father inclusiveness and founded the grant-funded Basic Training for New Dads, Inc nonprofit just for dads in order to give new fathers the tools they need to be highly engaged with their infants as well as their partners. In his free time, Dr. Singley likes to cook, surf, read, and trick his two teenage sons into activities so they can’t escape his annoying shrinky questions. Follow him @MenExcel and www.facebook.com/MenExcel/

Tentative Schedule

• 8:30am - 9am - Attendee Check-in/Registration
• 9am - 10:30am - Bias and Masculinities in Paternal Perinatal Mental Health
• 10:30am - 10:45am - Break
• 10:45 - 12pm - Dads & PMHD's: The Psychology of Early Fatherhood
• 12pm - 1pm - 1hr Lunch Break on Own
• 1pm - 1:15pm - Screening and Assessment

• 12:30pm - 1:30pm - 1hr Lunch Break

• 1:15pm - 2pm - Clinical Interventions

• 2pm - 2:45pm - Resources

• 2:45pm - 3:30pm - Programmatic Applications

• 3:30am - 4pm - Q & A, Wrap up

If you have any questions or concerns please contact [email protected]