Kristina Guerrero Ledlow, BA, ICCE-CD, PMH-C
Training and Outreach Specialist
Kristina has been working with the Perinatal population since 2011. She holds formal certifications in childbirth education and perinatal mental health and is also a certified birth doula.
Kristina has advanced training in the art of holding the perinatal woman in distress, building and
sustaining perinatal emotional support groups, perinatal psychopharmacology, perinatal grief and loss, and promoting cultural humility and equity within the perinatal space
In addition to her passionate work with the Karen Kleiman Training Center, Kristina serves as the
Perinatal Emotional Support Program Coordinator for her regional hospital. She is responsible for
creating and developing the in-patient program and closely collaborates with the interdisciplinary
medical teams to establish plans of care for perinatal patients. Her extensive experience has allowed her to design and deliver educational lectures on perinatal mental health to a diverse audience. This includes healthcare providers such as physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs), and nurses, as well as social workers and community health partners like WIC program coordinators, maternal infant health program staff, health department officials, and even hospital administrators. Through these presentations, Kristina aims to enhance understanding and support for mental health during the perinatal period.
Kristina also loves working with Postpartum Support International, where she has the privilege of
working directly with families by instructing the expectant parent class and facilitating support groups. As Chair of the Michigan state chapter of Postpartum Support International, and a leader for the Michigan state-funded Regional Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative, she is able to actively network with other dedicated professionals across the state. Together, they have developed
educational resources and strategic goals aimed at improving care for perinatal families and their infants which address the unique challenges facing these populations.
“The perinatal patient or client in distress needs permission and safety to breathe. A hospital floor, exam room, or office space, -this becomes sacred ground when we are willing to take compassionate responsibility and practice holding them. Holding requires action and when done effectively, it can provide great confidence in healing not only for the patient or client, but also for the person providing the holding.”