A Therapist's Guide to Treating Reproductive Trauma

This book weaves together research, clinical experience and the voices of perinatal clinicians worldwide to guide trauma-informed care across the reproductive journey. The first section establishes a foundation in reproductive trauma, exploring the many touchpoints where distress can arise, including infertility, pregnancy and infant loss, traumatic birth, postpartum complications and perinatal mental health challenges. With reflective prompts and engagement with the reader throughout, this book emphasises the urgent need for culturally responsive, specialised care and examines risk factors such as prior trauma, systemic oppression and harmful healthcare interactions.

The second section presents practical, evidence-based treatment approaches, including stabilisation skills, somatic and cognitive strategies, attachment-focused work and collaborative, client-centred care. The final section turns to clinician well-being, acknowledging the personal and professional impact of perinatal work. Addressing burnout, compassion fatigue and secondary trauma, it underscores that sustaining trauma-informed practice requires providers to tend to their own nervous systems as intentionally as they support their clients.