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Episode Notes

In this episode of Perinatal and Reproductive Perspectives, Becky sits down with Dr. Sheehan Fisher, a perinatal clinical psychologist, researcher, and advocate for more inclusive family health practices.

Dr. Fisher shares both his professional expertise and personal experiences as a father, highlighting the importance of preparing couples for the postpartum period, addressing systemic sexism in perinatal care, and rethinking how families share responsibilities. From developing protocols to support fathers, to leading groundbreaking research on postpartum depression prevention, Dr. Fisher offers practical insights and a compassionate call to action for creating healthier, more balanced families.

Topics Discussed

Why the pressure of parenting often falls disproportionately on mothers—and how to change it
The importance of involving fathers and non-birthing parents in perinatal mental health
Dr. Fisher’s personal journey as a father, including supporting his daughter through a perinatal stroke
Creating postpartum plans and preparing couples for shared responsibility
The difference between dividing tasks and sharing responsibility in family life
The role of culture and policy in shaping parenting expectations and mental load
Innovative programs: father-focused protocols, the ROSE program for postpartum depression prevention, and early intervention education in the UK
Using technology and media responsibly to expand access to perinatal mental health support
Dr. Fisher’s work with All Parents Welcome to promote inclusion for all families

“As a medical field and a research field, we put all the pressure on the mom. We say, like, ‘Hey, you have to take care of this child.’ Many times, work full time, take care of their home. Unfortunately, because of the sexism that still exists in our world, like all that pressure falls on her, and then when she gets depressed, we say, ‘Okay, well now you need to take medication, you need to go to therapy every week,just adding more and more on her plate. So I developed a clinical protocol that I’ve been working to actually provide training to fathers on, ‘hey, how do you support the mom?’”

— Dr. Sheehan Fisher

Guest information

Sheehan Fisher, PhD is an Associate Professor and perinatal clinical psychologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, as well as the Associate Dean for Academic Environment and Success at The Graduate School. His research focuses on how perinatal and later parental mental health—especially that of non-birthing parents—affect infant and child health outcomes.

Dr. Fisher is a national and international leader in rethinking how we study and support parental mental health. His work aims to fully integrate both birthing and non-birthing parents into research and care models, with the goal of understanding how each parent uniquely influences a child’s medical and mental health.

In addition to his research, Dr. Fisher brings these insights into clinical practice as the Clinical Director of the Fathers’ Mental Health Specialty Clinic. He’s also a passionate advocate for health equity, working to ensure that perinatal care and research include racially, ethnically, sexually, and gender-diverse families, as well as those from underrepresented linguistic and religious backgrounds.

Beyond academia and clinical work, Dr. Fisher is active in public policy and advocacy, focused on supporting diverse family structures and advancing inclusive programs for perinatal mental health. In recognition of his impact, he was named one of Crain’s Chicago Business 2022 Notable Black Leaders and Executives for his dedication to mental health in the Black community.

Dr. Fisher’s ultimate mission is to optimize the health and collaboration of the entire parental team—so children can thrive and families can flourish.