Pregnancy Loss

In Pregnancy Loss, Dr. Rayna Markin demonstrates an approach that combines attachment theory, trauma theory, self-psychology, and research on the therapy relationship to help a client process the grief from her own pregnancy loss. Dr. Markin uses empathic attunement to help the client to process the trauma and loss associated with these adverse reproductive events and to repair the damage to self-esteem caused by pregnancy loss. The demonstration in this video is framed by an informative discussion with the therapist, hosted by Cheri Marmarosh.

The loss of a pregnancy is a time of great distress, and unfortunately there are few supports in place for those who experience it. Therapy for pregnancy loss ideally provides a trusting and affect-regulating relationship in which the client can approach and process the overwhelming feelings of grief and make meaning of the trauma and loss.

Rayna D. Markin, PhD, is associate professor at Villanova University and a licensed psychologist with a private practice specializing in pregnancy loss and infertility. She is associate editor of Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, and Training. Dr. Markin has over 40 published articles, books, and book chapters on the psychotherapy relationship and psychotherapy for pregnancy loss and is the author of the upcoming book Psychotherapy for Pregnancy Loss: Applying Relationship Science to Clinical Practice.

Dr. Markin is frequently interviewed in the media on topics related to pregnancy loss and infertility. She has held several leadership positions in Division 29 of APA and served on the Third Interdivisional APA Task Force on evidence-based relationships and responsiveness.

APA videos

Counseling Clients Who Have Difficulty Getting Pregnant Again
Susan H. McDaniel, PhD

Counseling Clients Who Have Trouble Conceiving
Susan H. McDaniel, PhD

Attachment in Group Therapy: Facilitating the Group Climate
Cheri L. Marmarosh, PhD

Attachment-Based Family Therapy
Guy S. Diamond, PhD

Attachment-Based Psychotherapy in Practice
Peter C. Costello, PhD

Trauma and Meaning
Jeanne M. Slattery, PhD

Emotion-Focused Therapy in Practice: Working With Grief and Abandonment
Jeanne C. Watson, PhD, CPsych

APA books

Attachment in Group Psychotherapy
Cheri Marmarosh, PhD, Rayna Markin, PhD and Eric B. Spiegel, PhD

Coping With Infertility, Miscarriage, and Neonatal Loss: Finding Perspective and Creating Meaning
Amy Wenzel, PhD

Reproductive Trauma: Psychotherapy With Clients Experiencing Infertility and Pregnancy Loss, Second Edition
Janet Jaffe, PhD

The Psychology of PCOS: Building the Science and Breaking the Silence
Stacey L. Williams, PhD