Education

Emory Women's Mental Health Program seeks to train psychiatrists, obstetrician-gynecologists and physicians from other disciplines to treat the specific mental health needs of reproductive age women. We are dedicated to furthering the knowledge and clinical skills of needed to care for the mental health needs in the time surrounding pregnancy.

Emory medical students are first introduced to women’s mental health during their second-year didactic programs. Third year medical students at Emory University School of Medicine may choose to shadow house staff during clinic, while senior medical students may apply for a month-long rotation, which will introduce them to a variety of clinical programs which meet the needs of preconception, pregnant and postpartum individuals Fourth year medical students from other universities are encouraged to apply as well.

Fourth year Emory psychiatry residents may participate in a yearlong Women's Mental Health clinic. This is an opportunity to directly care for individuals through an entire pregnancy and into the postpartum. They learn to evaluate individuals who are seeking to build their family with assisted reproductive technology, provide care to those suffering from pregnancy loss and develop treatment plans that weigh the risks and benefits of psychopharmacologic treatment in pregnancy and breastfeeding. The weekly clinic includes an hour of combined didactics and supervision. Second year residents may choose to shadow faculty members during their elective time. Trainees from programs outside of the Emory Psychiatry residency may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Our psychiatrists and clinicians are available to educate physicians, nurses and therapists about reproductive psychiatry. Beginning in March 2023, our staff will be offering a monthly didactic and case study under the umbrella of a Reproductive Mental Health ECHO program.