Perinatal Education CME & Office Hours
APAL offers free, self-paced educational resources designed to help Arizona clinicians build confidence in caring for patients with perinatal mental health concerns. Whether you're looking for continuing education or a quick refresher on a specific topic, our growing library of on-demand learning makes it easy to learn when it's convenient for you.
Additional courses and educational resources will continue to be added throughout 2027.
Maternal Mental Health Series in partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services (AzDHS)
APAL has developed a free three-part maternal mental health education series for the Arizona Department of Health Services (AzDHS), designed to provide Arizona clinicians with practical, evidence-based guidance for supporting pregnant and postpartum patients.
Each webinar will be presented live online and offer CME credit.
Unable to attend live? Each presentation will also remain available on demand after the live event, with an opportunity to earn CME credit by completing the on-demand activity.
Perinatal Depression: Screening, Assessment, and Treatment Approaches
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. Arizona time
This session provides an overview of the screening, assessment, and treatment of depression across the perinatal period. Participants will learn practical strategies for identifying symptoms, conducting appropriate assessments, and implementing effective treatment approaches to support patients and families.
CME: 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ available through either the live webinar or the on-demand activity.
Outcome Objectives
- Use appropriate screening and assessment methods for perinatal depression.
- Effectively discuss postpartum depression with moms and families.
- Implement treatment options and first steps to support moms and families with postpartum depression.
Accreditation / Credit Designation Statement
The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Relevant Financial Relationships Statement
University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Office of Continuing Medical Education adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies (commercial interests). The CME office reviewers have nothing to disclose. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
All individuals in a position to control the content of this CME activity have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that would constitute a conflict of interest concerning this CME activity.
CME Certificate Information
To receive a CME certificate, read/follow the instructions in the email you will receive from the UArizona CloudCME system (OR, sign into your account at https://cme.arizona.edu and go to MyCME > Evaluations and Certificates). After completing the evaluation, you will be able to view/print/download a CME certificate.
Perinatal Anxiety and OCD: Identification, Assessment, and Initial Management
Wednesday, January 6, 2027 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. Arizona time
Registration Link TBA
This session provides practical, evidence-based guidance on the recognition, assessment, and treatment of perinatal anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants will learn how to distinguish these conditions from typical perinatal experiences and depression, implement appropriate treatment strategies, and monitor symptom improvement using validated assessment tools.
CME: Information coming soon.
Outcome Objectives
Outcome Objectives TBA
Substance Use in the Perinatal Period: Screening, Assessment Strategies, and Treatment Considerations
Wednesday, March 3, 2027 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. Arizona time
Registration Link TBA
This session will equip participants with strategies to assess and appropriately treat substance use disorders during pregnancy and lactation. Participants will learn approaches to compassionate, effective screening and assessment, appropriate treatment strategies, and ways to address common concerns regarding the safety of treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
CME: Information coming soon.
Outcome Objectives
Outcome Objectives TBA
Perinatal Mental Health Self-Paced Learning Series
Build your knowledge of perinatal mental health through a free, self-paced webinar series developed by APAL in partnership with the Arizona Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). The series includes separate learning tracks for prescribers and non-prescribers, with free continuing education available for eligible participants.
Build your knowledge of perinatal mental health through a free, self-paced webinar series developed by APAL in partnership with the Arizona Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). The series includes free continuing education available for eligible participants.
Presented by: Saira Kalia, MD
You will be prompted to create an account. Access the step-by-step sign up instructions.
Overview: This three-module course is tailored to equip prescribers with essential knowledge and tools to support maternal mental health in Arizona. The course begins with an overview of the current state of maternal mental health in Arizona, highlighting key challenges and disparities.
Learning objective: By the end of this course, participants will feel more informed and confident in delivering compassionate, effective care to this vulnerable population.
Module 1: Focuses on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, emphasizing safe and effective medication management.
Module 2: Addresses substance use disorders during the perinatal period, offering evidence-based treatment approaches.
Module 3: Concentrates specifically on managing Opioid Use Disorder in pregnancy and breastfeeding, in response to the rise in opioid use nationally and in Arizona.
Continuing Education for prescribers: AMA PRA Category 1 Credits: 3.0 credits
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Build your knowledge of perinatal mental health through a free, self-paced webinar series developed by APAL in partnership with the Arizona Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). The series includes free continuing education available for eligible participants.
Perinatal Mental Health Series: Non-Prescribers
Presented by: Kathryn Emerick, MD; Saira Kalia, MD
You will be prompted to create an account. Access the step-by-step sign up instructions.
Overview: This three-module course is designed for non-prescribers working with the maternal population, including therapists, doulas, nurses, midwives and other health professionals in Arizona. The course starts with an overview of maternal mental health in Arizona, including recent data on maternal mortality and state-specific challenges.
Learning objective: By the end of this course, learners will feel more knowledgeable and confident in identifying and addressing maternal mental health needs.
Module 1: Covers perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, focusing on recognizing symptoms and challenges.
Module 2: Provides supplementary information on offering practical support to struggling mothers. Note: This module is optional for certificate completion.
Module 3: Introduces PTSD and trauma-informed care in pregnancy, equipping participants with practical strategies to support clients with compassion and sensitivity.
Continuing Education for non-prescribing providers: Continuing Nursing Education (CNE): 3.25 credits; CHES: 3.25 credits
Perinatal Office Hours: Ask a Reproductive Psychiatrist
Join APAL Reproductive Psychiatrists in a virtual open office hour every first Friday of the month from 12-1pm AZ time. This informal space is dedicated to OB/GYNs, Family Medicine providers, psychiatrists, behavioral health clinicians, and other healthcare professionals caring for pregnant and postpartum patients to bring cases, ask questions, and learn alongside colleagues.
You are welcome to join with a challenging case, a question about diagnosis or treatment, or simply to listen and learn from the discussion. No preparation is needed.
During the hour, you can expect:
Case consultation with perinatal psychiatrists
Practical, evidence-informed recommendations
Collaborative discussion with clinicians from across Arizona
A welcoming and supportive learning environment
Register to receive your Zoom invitation. Hosted alternately by Dr. Saira Kalia, Director, Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line, and Dr. Kathryn Emerick, Co-Director, Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line.
Coming Soon
We're expanding our on-demand education library throughout 2027! Want to be notified of new on-demand courses from APAL? Sign up for our mailing list.
Looking for Live Education?
- Join our Grand Rounds every third Friday of the month and receive free CME credit
- You can also view recordings of our previous sessions
- You can also view recordings of our previous sessions
- Live virtual education sessions for groups are available by request (Perinatal / Pediatric)
Questions? Send us a message at team@apal.arizona.edu