Labor and delivery present psychological and spiritual challenges for mothers, fathers, babies, family members, and birth attendants, although many are not cognizant of this fact. If birth is recognized for the challenges it presents, birth is likely to be safer, and less likely to be traumatic for all involved. One of the challenges is personal history -- Few realize that what happens during the preconception and prenatal periods has huge impacts on the safety or distress of childbirth. But so do routine medical procedures. Dr. Emerson has spent his professional life learning how to prevent and/or heal trauma that occurs during labor and delivery. Emerson’s Monday Night Live Lecture presents the psychological dilemmas that mothers, fathers, and babies face during childbirth. Topics include the incidence of baby, mother, and father trauma, the causes of trauma, and the medical, psychological, and spiritual solutions. The ultimate goal is prevention, but Emerson has developed and researched treatment methods for 4 decades. The ultimate goal is a safe birth for all involved, and the creation of a healthy mother-father-baby bond for life. The hour after birth provides the best period of time for treatment, and is thus a most sacred time. The hours of birth require maternal- and infant-oriented approaches to reduce unnecessary interventionism and humanize the entire process. Dr. Emerson will present portions of his acclaimed power point entitled, “Maternal- and Child-Centered Childbirth”.

Introducing William Emerson, PhD

About William Emerson: William R. Emerson, Ph.D., is a workshop leader, writer, lecturer, and pioneer in the field of pre and perinatal psychology. He is President of APPPAH, the US educational corporation representing professionals and individuals interested in pre- and perinatal psychology. He is among the first in the world to develop prenatal and perinatal treatment methods for infants and children, is a renowned expert in treatment methods for adults, and is recognized world-wide for his contributions. He is the author of 5 self-published books 15 published chapters and journal articles in the field of pre and perinatal psychology. He is also the writer and producer of four video programs. He holds graduate degrees from Vanderbilt and San Jose State Universities, graduating with honors. He has held university appointments as Honorary Faculty, Director of Clinical Training, International Lecturer, and Assistant Professor of Psychology. As an acknowledgment of his contributions to psychology, he received an honorary fellowship from the US National Science Foundation. Dr. Emerson practiced psychotherapy for 25 years, specializing in regression therapy, and lectured domestically and internationally on these topics. Dr. Emerson is retired from the practice of psychotherapy and is currently conducting training seminars, personal workshops, and finishing a book on trauma caused by the maternity care system (publication date is Aug. 2011), as well as conducting training programs in the U.S., Canada, and Europe