Join the Colorado Substance Exposed Newborns Steering Committee‘s Provider Education Work Group and Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative for a series focused on equipping providers with the knowledge and tools to engage in trauma-informed communication and care with individuals impacted by substance use and pregnancy.

This is the second session in the series. If you have not already done so, you can register for the other sessions in the series at the following links:

Societal stigma about perinatal substance use is pervasive. Stigmatizing interactions with health professionals can undermine quality and continuity of care. This talk utilizes trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing approaches to promote respectful and non-stigmatizing communication with patients about drug and/or alcohol use. Participants will explore personal biases and attitudes regarding perinatal substance use, recognize how biases and stigma interfere with patient care through the use of a patient testimonial and case vignettes, and learn strategies to minimize stigma and bias in their communication with patients.

The session will include an individual with lived experience’s reflections on why trauma-informed communication and care is so important and a presentation by Keisha Bell. Dr. Keisha Bell is an Assistant Professor in the departments of Psychiatry and OB/GYN. She received her PhD in clinical psychology in 2015 from the University of North Texas with a focus in health psychology. She completed her clinical internship at the Cleveland VA Medical Center and a two-year Family Psychology Fellowship in Women’s Health at the University of Rochester Medical Center. As a communication educator and coach in the department of OB/GYN, her work focuses on teaching patient- and family-centered communication skills. Dr. Bell serves as Co-Officer of Diversity and Inclusion in the department of obstetrics and gynecology. In her role as an embedded psychologist at an outpatient OB/GYN practice, Dr. Bell provides consultation, education, and brief therapeutic support to adult women across major life stages.