ODL 347: Motherless Mothering in Postpartum Grief

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Psychologists
APA – 1 CE Credit
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Created On:   7/23/25                 

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups: 

4. Counseling Services
7. Discharge and Continuing Care

Overview:

The postpartum period is a time of profound transition and emotion for new mothers. For women experiencing postpartum without the presence of their own mothers—due to loss, estrangement, or other circumstances—the journey can be uniquely challenging. This training, led by researcher Brittany Nwachuku, delves into the concept of “motherless mothering” and its impact on postpartum grief. Participants will explore the emotional and psychological experiences of these women, gain insights into their specific support needs, and learn strategies to provide compassionate, effective care that fosters healing and resilience.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:

• Define “motherless mothering” and understand its unique challenges during the postpartum period.
• Recognize the emotional and psychological impact of postpartum grief in women mothering without their mothers.
• Identify practical strategies and interventions to support postpartum women experiencing motherless mothering.

Presenter:

Dr. Brittany Nwachuku, LCSW, LISW-S

Dr. Brittany Nwachuku, LCSW, LISW-S, is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Alliant International University with extensive experience in medical and mental health settings. She has worked with diverse populations, including juvenile probation, foster care youth, school social work, and oncology healthcare.

Dr. Nwachuku provides supervision to social work students and has facilitated support groups and professional development on best practices for underserved populations. She is an executive committee member for the Council on the Role and Status of Women (CORSW) at the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), serves on the advisory council for She’s the First, and is a committee co-chair for her chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She holds a women’s leadership certificate from Yale and is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). Her research focuses on equity, psychosocial oncology, grief, and women’s health disparities.