About this episode

This episode discusses the benefits of body-centered therapy for perinatal mental health with Dr. Leslie Ann Costello.

There is an increased awareness recently about bringing somatic-based tools into our therapy practices, mainly because so much of the perinatal experience is influenced by the changes taking place in our bodies. Today’s guest explains why a body approach to therapy can help perinatal clients, how perinatal experiences can alienate a woman from her body, and why this type of therapy can be beneficial for those in the perinatal period. Join us to learn more! Dr. Leslie Ann Costello is a psychologist and certified bioenergetic therapist. Originally a preschool teacher, she volunteered as a Lamaze instructor in the 1980s and subsequently studied developmental psychology, with a focus on infant mental health. Professional encounters with pregnancy and infant loss propelled her toward maternal mental health as a career focus. As a freshly minted Ph.D., she landed in a grant-funded prenatal clinic in Louisiana, soaking up experiences that shaped the trajectory of her thirty-year career as a professor, therapist, trainer, and supervisor. Leslie is a mom, step-mom, and grandmother who identifies as an American living in Canada. Her new book, Helping Mothers Helping Babies, is for…

People in this episode

Host: Katayune Kaeni

Guest: Dr. Leslie Ann Costello

Topics covered

• perinatal mental health
• body-centered therapy
• somatic tools
• mother's experience
• psychology
• infant mental health

Keywords

• perinatal
• mental health
• somatic therapy
• body sensation
• infant loss
• psychology
• maternal health

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Helping Mothers Helping Babies

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