Bonding-Right from the Beginning: A Solid Foundation for Life-Long Health, Phyllis Klaus, MFT, LMSW

Saturday, November 5, Doors Open 6:30, Presentation at 7:00

How do parents develop a bond to their baby? How does a baby develop secure attachment to his or her parents? This lecture will address the important components of this relationship. Bonding starts in prenatal life and parents can learn activities that enhance this earliest communication and understand why it is important for the infant’s mental and physical health later in life. Developing a tie to one’s infant is biological, psychological, and cultural and the events at birth can interfere with or strengthen how parents perceive their baby. Parents need continuous support during birth to experience a birth that is empowering, creating confidence and self-esteem, and avoiding a birth that is disappointing or traumatic. The day of birth as well as this early postpartum period are equally important for the mother and baby. By understanding the states of consciousness and what responses the baby brings, parents can gain a new appreciation of their infant’s abilities. A major concern in our culture is the lack of on-going support for parents in the postpartum period. This lack has caused parents to be exhausted, disappointed in each others performance and level of support, and creates unrealistic expectations of the self and one’s partner. Depression and anxiety can ensue. We will look at several recommendations to make this most important time healthy and loving for the self and the baby.

Phyllis Klaus, MFT, LMSW, is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist, clinical social worker, and Approved Consultant and Trainer of EMDR. She practices in Berkeley and Palo Alto, California, providing psychotherapy, hypnotherapy , and counseling to individuals, couples, families, children, and groups. Formerly she was a Behavioral Science Instructor on the faculty of Michigan State University Department of Family Practice. She has been working with the concerns of families in the perinatal period for the past 30 years, and has been involved in research and training of maternity caregivers and doulas since 1982. She consults and presents workshops nationally and internationally and is co author of several articles as well as the following books: The Doula Book; Bonding; Your Amazing Newborn; a video, The Amazing Talents of the Newborn; and When Survivors Give Birth: Understanding and Healing the Effects of Child Sexual Abuse on Childbearing Women.

This lecture is open to the public, please RSVP through our online form or call 650-321-2326. Space is limited, reserve your spot in advance.