Date of Award

Summer 8-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Counseling & Human Services

Program/Concentration

Counseling

Committee Director

Emily Goodman-Scott

Committee Member

Jeffry Moe

Committee Member

Lauren Robins

Committee Member

Amber Pope

Abstract

Perinatal loss encompasses losses of pregnancies at any gestational age, as well as deaths occurring within one year post-birth. In the United States, around 40 thousand stillbirths and infant deaths occur every year (Ely & Driscoll, 2025; Gregory et al., 2025), with about 23 million miscarriages also occurring annually worldwide (Quenby et al., 2021). Perinatal loss experiences lead to distressing mental health symptoms not limited to anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and grief (Crockett et al., 2019; Wamser & Ferro, 2025). While there is extensive research on perinatal loss as it pertains to medical context, there is minimal research relating to women’s interactions with mental health therapists after perinatal loss. Across the mental health fields, there is limited literature, as well as a general understanding that more training and education is needed on the topic (Crockett et al., 2019; Freedle & Miller 2025). The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of women in mental health therapy after the occurrence of perinatal loss. This study utilized a phenomenological methodology and semistructured interviews with women who had experienced perinatal loss and engaged in mental health therapy in the United States.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/x099-8s09

ISBN

9798193217251

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