STARTING JAN 2026

This module provides a systematic introduction to the psychological dimensions of the perinatal period, with particular emphasis on the birth experience and its enduring significance for human development. It examines how patterns established at birth are encoded and subsequently expressed across the life span, influencing relational dynamics, adaptive capacities, and overall well-being.

The curriculum is organized into three courses:

1. The Birth Experience – addressing the psychological imprint of birth, the distinctions between natural and medicalized birth, and the specific contributions of practices such as waterbirth.

2. Being Born Different – analyzing the developmental implications of variations in birth circumstances (e.g., prematurity and other non-normative experiences).

3. Neonatal Transition – focusing on the newborn as a new arrival in a new environment, and on how this transition can be supported with sensitivity and care. The course examines how parents and families can recognize the stress inherent in this adjustment and cultivate attitudes and skills that help the neonate develop trust in their surroundings. Special attention is given to the role of the mother, father, and siblings, who are invited to become gentle and joyful escorts of the newcomer, ensuring that the infant’s earliest experiences are met with safety, warmth, and connection.

Throughout the module, students critically engage with contemporary frameworks that move beyond the “Baby-Friendly Hospital” paradigm toward mother–baby friendly, family–baby friendly, and system–baby friendly approaches. These perspectives emphasize the interdependence of maternal, familial, and systemic contexts in shaping safe attachment and salutogenic beginnings.

By the end of the module, students will have developed a comprehensive understanding of the psychological processes surrounding birth and the perinatal period, as well as the evidence-based practices that promote optimum beginnings and support lifelong health trajectories.

Aims

• To introduce students to the foundational concepts and theoretical frameworks of perinatal psychology.

• To examine the psychological significance of the birth experience and its impact on development across the life span.

• To analyze variations in birth circumstances and their implications for psychological, emotional, and relational development.

• To explore the processes of perinatal bonding, attachment formation, and early caregiving within mother–baby, family–baby, and system–baby contexts.

• To critically evaluate practices that contribute to optimum beginnings, including natural birth, waterbirth, breastfeeding, and family-centered perinatal care.

• To promote an integrated understanding of how perinatal experiences shape individual, familial, and societal well-being.

Goals / Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

1. Identify and explain the major psychological processes associated with the birth experience and early postnatal period.

2. Differentiate between natural and medicalized births, with attention to their distinct psychological and developmental consequences.

3. Analyze the developmental outcomes of non-normative birth experiences, such as prematurity or other variations.

4. Evaluate the role of breastfeeding, bonding, and early caregiving in establishing secure attachment and supporting infant development.

5. Apply concepts of mother–baby, family–baby, and system–baby friendly practices to promote salutogenic and developmentally supportive perinatal care.

6. Critically assess institutional and systemic approaches to perinatal care, moving beyond the Baby-Friendly paradigm toward more holistic frameworks.

7. Synthesize knowledge of perinatal psychology to inform professional practice, policy, and advocacy for optimal beginnings.

Ideal For

This module is intended for a broad range of professionals, students, and practitioners whose work intersects with the prenatal and perinatal period. It provides valuable insights and applicable knowledge for:

• Psychologists, psychotherapists, and counselors – to deepen their understanding of how perinatal experiences shape personality, relational patterns, and later psychological development, enhancing their capacity to support clients across the lifespan.

• Medical doctors and obstetricians – to appreciate the psychological dimensions of birth, enabling more integrative approaches that respect both medical safety and the emotional well-being of mother, baby, and family.

• Midwives, doulas, and perinatal care providers – to expand their perspective on bonding, attachment, and the long-term impact of birth experiences, strengthening their role as advocates for mother–baby–family friendly care.

• Nurses and lactation consultants – to gain a deeper understanding of breastfeeding as both a physiological and psychological process, and to support early caregiving practices that foster secure attachment.

• Educators, social workers, and community health professionals – to understand how perinatal psychology informs family dynamics, resilience, and social development, and to apply this knowledge in support and advocacy work.

• Students and researchers – to build a strong foundation in perinatal psychology as a discipline, preparing for advanced academic inquiry or professional specialization.

• Policy-makers and advocates – to translate evidence-based knowledge into systemic frameworks that advance mother–baby, family–baby, and system–baby friendly environments.

By bringing these diverse groups together, the module cultivates a shared language and interdisciplinary understanding of perinatal psychology, equipping participants to collaborate toward the goal of optimum beginnings for individuals, families, and societies.

Why Take This Course?

The Perinatal Psychology module offers a rare opportunity to explore one of the most decisive yet often overlooked periods of human development. By joining this course, you will:

• Gain unique insights into how birth and early experiences shape personality, relationships, and lifelong well-being.

• Strengthen your professional practice with evidence-based knowledge that bridges psychology, medicine, and caregiving.

• Learn to differentiate between natural, medicalized, and non-normative births, and understand their long-term psychological impact.

• Develop practical skills for supporting bonding, attachment, and breastfeeding in ways that empower mothers, babies, and families.

• Contribute to systemic change by embracing mother–baby, family–baby, and system–baby friendly frameworks that extend beyond the clinic to community and policy.

• Be inspired to adopt practices that create optimum beginnings—laying the foundation for healthier individuals, families, and societies.

Tuition Structure

Standard tuition: €1,200. Early bird and group rates available (from €950). Flexible installment plans upon request.

Standard Tuition (33 weeks, 160 hours, ~6 ECTS): €1,200

Early Bird Discounts

• Early Bird 1 (6+ months before start): €950 (≈ 20% off)

• Early Bird 2 (3–6 months before start): €1,050 (≈ 12.5% off)

Group Rates

• 2–3 participants enrolling together: €1,050 per person (≈ 12.5% off)

• 4+ participants (institutions, professional teams): €950 per person (≈ 20% off)
  (ideal for hospitals, clinics, NGOs, or study groups who want staff trained together)

Special Considerations

• Students in low-income countries / hardship cases: optional partial scholarship or sliding scale upon application.

• Installment option: 3–4 payments across the year.
  Please contact info@cosmoanelixis.gr for the specific payment link if you belong to one of the above groups.

This course is not only an academic exploration; it is an invitation to become part of a transformative movement that redefines how we understand and support life’s beginnings.