Professor of psychiatry, Brown University, Rhode Island, US

“Each woman has a unique set of experiences, but what unites them is that they are experiencing depression or another mood disorder at a time when there is a strong cultural expectation to be ‘happy’ (during pregnancy or after giving birth). Another thing that unites women with these conditions is a strong desire to become well. Thankfully, these conditions are very responsive to treatment, and it’s so satisfying for me to support my patients and help them recover.”

Areas of expertise

Perinatal mental health

“What drives me in my professional life is a true desire to make a difference in the lives of pregnant and postpartum women. On an individual level, I aspire to guide women on their journey to wellness.”

— Margaret Howard, PhD

Areas of expertise

Perinatal mental health

— Margaret Howard, PhD

Career

The Motherhood Center of New York – Chief clinical operations officer, director of outpatient services
Care New England – Executive director of women’s mental health, since 2019
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University – Professor of psychiatry and human behavior and clinician educator, since 2000
Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island – Division director and founder of Center for Women’s Behavioral Health, since 2011
Published, taught, and lectured nationally and internationally on the topic of perinatal psychiatric disorders
Coprincipal investigator and consultant on numerous grants related to perinatal mental health

Education

Brown University Medical School – Internship and fellowship, 1985–1987
Southern Illinois University – PhD in clinical psychology, 1985
Southern Illinois University – Master’s degree in counseling psychology, 1983
Western Washington University – Bachelor’s degree in psychology, 1979

Academic memberships

Member of Postpartum Support International
Member of International Marce Society
Member of Marce of North America, North American Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynecology

Awards and achievements

Received numerous awards for contributions to perinatal mental health, including the Distinguished Leadership Award by the Committee on Women in Psychology of the American Psychological Association

Appearances and publications in other media

Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, vol. 84, no. 5, pp. 388–96.,

01 May 2017

Peripartum Depression: Early Recognition Improves Outcomes

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, vol. 202, no. 2, pp. 154–60.,

03 Feb 2014

Symptoms of the Anxiety Disorders in a Perinatal Psychiatric Sample: A Chart Review

Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 353–54.,

01 Dec 2010

Prenatal Yoga and Depression during Pregnancy

Flo articles reviewed by Margaret Howard, PhD