Overlooked & Overwhelmed: Supporting ADHD in the Perinatal Years
January 27, 2026 with Gretchen Nelson, LICSW, ADHD-CCSP, PMH-C
Course Description
The intersection of ADHD and perinatal mental health is often misunderstood or entirely missed in clinical settings. This training is designed to equip mental health therapists with the knowledge and tools to better recognize and support individuals with ADHD during pregnancy and the postpartum period. We’ll explore how hormonal shifts, identity changes, sleep disruption, and increased executive functioning demands can uniquely impact clients with ADHD, often leading to increased distress and misdiagnosis.
Participants will gain insight into how ADHD presents in the perinatal period, particularly in women and birthing people who may have remained undiagnosed until this life stage. The training will also cover therapeutic approaches, and culturally responsive practices to help therapists better meet the needs of this often-overlooked population. Through case studies, discussion, and practical interventions, attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to support clients navigating both neurodivergence and the profound transitions of the perinatal years.
Registration Deadline: January 26, 2026
This course takes place live on Zoom. Check out this link for Zoom requirements.
For more information on our work at The Touchstone Institute, visit our website.
Note on Accessibility:
We include captions in all of our live and self-paced trainings. If there is anything else you need to make our trainings accessible to you, please reach out to us at [email protected]. We recognize that every person has access needs and we are happy to do everything we can to meet yours.
Instructor
Gretchen Nelson, LICSW ADHD-CCSP, PMH-C (she/her)
[email protected]
Gretchen is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in providing support and strategies tailored to those feeling stuck in their current stage of life. The clients she works with have concerns about feeling mentally & emotionally burnt out and are drowning in responsibilities. This might be within their marriage, their family, caring for their own parents, within their career or an overall sense of exhaustion across all areas of life.
Her background is in ADHD, ASD, Learning Disabilities, Highly Sensitive, Anxiety, Depression, Medical Trauma, Women's Wellness, Early Childhood Development and Perinatal Mental Health. Gretchen's approach offers a compassionate space to learn, grow, and thrive together. This is done by focusing on strengthening interpersonal relationships while honoring the role of the whole body-brain connection in mental health. Gretchen's work is grounded in the understanding that some clients require different strategies, ones that affirm their unique perspectives and challenges.
Course Curriculum
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Receiving your CE Certificate
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About this course:
- $125 - $175
- January 27, 2026, 11:00am - 2:00pm EST
- 3 CEs (see below for specific approvals)
More about our pricing:
We offer tiered pricing for all of our trainings in order to make our courses accessible to as many practitioners as possible. If you are unsure which tier of payment is right for your financial situation, please read through our FAQ section below or visit our website.
Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you are interested in a multi-month payment plan. We are always happy to create a custom payment plan to make it more feasible for everyone to participate in our courses.
Timed Course Agenda
I. Introduction (15 minutes): Welcome and learning objectives Presenter introduction and background Participant guidelines (camera on, comfort items, engagement).
II. Foundations of ADHD and the Perinatal Period (30 minutes): Overview of ADHD symptoms and presentations (with attention to late-diagnosed women and non-binary birthing people) Brief overview of the perinatal mental health spectrum (PMADs, identity shifts, hormonal/neurobiological changes) How ADHD is often missed or misdiagnosed during the perinatal period.
III. Core Themes & Clinical Presentations (30 minutes): Executive functioning challenges in the perinatal context Emotional dysregulation, overstimulation, and sensory needs Shame, guilt, and internalized messaging related to motherhood and neurodivergence Challenges with attachment, routine-building, and relational stress.
IV. Assessing Risk & Differential Diagnosis (20–30 minutes): Identifying high-risk scenarios (e.g., comorbidities, trauma history, birth trauma) ADHD vs. PMADs: symptom overlap and key distinguishing features Clinical interview tips (adapted for perinatal context).
V. Intervention & Support Strategies (30–40 minutes): Neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed clinical approaches Adapting therapy modalities for ADHD in the perinatal period Supporting executive functioning: realistic tools and strategies for new parents Working with the parent-child dyad: co-regulation, sensory needs, and bonding Partner/couple considerations.
VI. Case Examples & Interactive Discussion (20–30 minutes): Realistic case vignettes and application of assessment + interventions Group reflection or small breakout groups (if virtual) Q&A and resource sharing.
VII. Closing (10–15 minutes): Summary of key takeaways Resources and further reading.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- List common core challenges and clinical themes that arise when ADHD is present during the perinatal period, including those impacting functioning, identity, and the parent-infant relationship.
- Describe risk factors and indicators for heightened vulnerability to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in individuals with ADHD.
- Describe developmentally appropriate, evidence-informed strategies to support clients with ADHD during the perinatal period, including interventions that strengthen the parent-child dyad.
Continuing Education Credits
Participation in all training sessions and submission of a course evaluation is required to receive a CE certificate for this course. Course evaluations are made available after all live sessions have been completed within the course portal. After completing the evaluation, participants will be able to submit a request for their CE certificate. This training offers 3 CE credits.
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It is your responsibility to verify CE coverage in your State or Province.
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The Touchstone Institute for Perinatal Training is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Touchstone Institute for Perinatal Training maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
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The Touchstone Institute for Perinatal Training, Inc. has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7346. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Touchstone Institute for Perinatal Training, Inc. is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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The Touchstone Institute for Perinatal Training, [provider number:1876], is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: [1/19/2025-1/19/2028]. Social workers completing this course receive 3 continuing education credits.
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This course is approved by Postpartum Support International (PSI) for continuing education towards obtaining and maintaining the PMH-C.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is the Generative Access tier right for me?
Select this tier if you: Own the home you live in (even with a mortgage); live in a two-income household; have investments, retirement accounts, or inherited money; travel recreationally; have access to family money and resources in times of need; work part-time by choice, etc.
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Is the Sustaining Access tier right for me?
Select this tier if you: Have income available for recreational activities (going out to dinner, movies, concerts etc.); have consistent work compensated at a median income rate based on your region; pay rent that is not more than 25% of your monthly household income; do not own your own home, etc.
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Is the Supported Access tier right for me?
Select this tier if you: Are a graduate student paying tuition; have major medical expenses not covered by insurance; have been denied work, or experience discrimination related to ableism, racism, sexism, gender discrimination or other forms of oppression; are eligible for public assistance; have immigration-related expenses; have ever been denied work due to incarceration history; are supporting adult children, extended family members in need or have other adult dependents; are an elder with limited financial support; are primarily working in a setting with under-resourced populations and your income reflects this work, etc.
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Are there payment plan options available?
Yes! We are happy to work with you to create a payment plan that fits your needs. Please reach out to us over email with a brief description of the length of the plan that you are interested in using to pay for this course: [email protected].
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How can I learn more about your pricing?
Please visit our website for more information on our approach to pricing our trainings: www.touchstoneinstitute.org/pricing.
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What is your refund policy?
More than 14 days notice is required for a full refund minus 7% administrative fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of training are eligible for a 50% refund or full transfer to another training within The Touchstone Institute. Only 1 transfer to another training is allowed. If you can not attend the transferred training your fee will be forfeited. No-shows are not eligible for a refund or transfer. Exceptions to this policy are limited to medically documented circumstances or family bereavements. Failure to attend without prior notification (no-shows) will not qualify for a refund.
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