ROWEN Clinic Expands Care for Women and Families

The ROWEN Clinic is helping address a growing need in maternal and perinatal mental health while preparing the next generation of psychologists to expertly and compassionately serve women and families.

Founded in 2021 by School of Professional Psychology faculty members Dr. Norah Chapman and Dr. Amy Young, the specialty clinic within the Center for Behavioral Health provides support for individuals navigating pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, pregnancy loss, birth trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns related to family formation.

During the 2024-25 academic year, ROWEN Clinic doctoral students and licensed psychologists provided 326 hours of perinatal mental health services to underserved women and families in the Louisville community. In 2025-26, that number increased to 349 hours, representing a 7% increase in care delivered.

Those numbers reflect a significant need. Approximately one in four women experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, yet many are never screened, referred, or connected to appropriate support.

“This work is deeply personal for me because I know how isolating these experiences can be,” Dr. Chapman said. “No one should have to navigate infertility, pregnancy loss, or the challenges of the perinatal period feeling alone. Through the ROWEN Clinic, we’re helping more women and families find support while preparing future psychologists to make a lasting difference.”

The clinic’s name reflects its mission. Inspired by the concept of a second harvest, ROWEN represents a period of transformation and renewal. Pregnancy, parenthood, infertility, and loss can bring dramatic shifts in identity, relationships, priorities, and wellbeing. The clinic was created to support individuals and families through those transitions.

In addition to providing direct care, Dr. Chapman and Dr. Young are working to advance the field through research. Alongside doctoral students, they are developing a comprehensive perinatal mental health screening tool designed to help healthcare and mental health providers identify a broader range of symptoms and risk factors than traditional assessments.

The goal is to help more individuals receive support before concerns escalate and to strengthen connections between healthcare providers and mental health professionals.

The clinic also serves as a unique training opportunity for students in Spalding’s School of Professional Psychology. Through clinical work, supervision, research, and advocacy, doctoral students gain specialized experience supporting women and families during some of life’s most significant transitions.

“Some of life’s most joyful moments can also be some of its most vulnerable,” Dr. Young said. “The ROWEN Clinic gives our students the opportunity to walk alongside women and families during those transitions while learning how compassionate, evidence-based care can change lives. That’s an experience they will carry throughout their careers.”

That combination of service, scholarship, and professional preparation is earning recognition beyond Louisville. This month, Dr. Chapman and Dr. Young will travel to the Postpartum Support International Annual Conference in Los Angeles to present research developed through the clinic.

Their work extends beyond the University as well. Both faculty members helped establish Kentucky’s chapter of Postpartum Support International and have contributed to statewide efforts to improve maternal mental health awareness, provider education, referral networks, and policy.

As the clinic continues to grow it remains focused on expanding access to affordable, specialized care for women and families while building a stronger future for maternal mental health across Kentucky and beyond.