Meet the Founder
Kayleigh Summers is a licensed clinical social worker, private practice owner, writer, and nationally recognized speaker specializing in perinatal trauma. She is the founder of Holding Hope Perinatal and the creator of The Birth Trauma Mama, a platform and podcast that has reached more than 200,000 listeners worldwide and created a community for thousands of survivors.
Kayleigh holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and advanced training in trauma-focused modalities, including EMDR and IFS. She is certified in perinatal mental health and has dedicated her clinical career to supporting individuals and families through the emotional and psychological impact of complicated pregnancies, traumatic births, and postpartum complications.
Today, Kayleigh blends clinical expertise with lived experience to educate and advocate for trauma-informed perinatal care. She collaborates with hospitals, maternal-health organizations, and clinicians across the country, presenting on topics such as severe maternal morbidity, patient-centered communication, and supporting families through catastrophic birth events. Her speaking engagements include AWHONN conferences, hospital Grand Rounds, and nonprofit trainings. She also consults with healthcare systems and partners through the AFE Foundation to strengthen survivor resources and clinician education.
Beyond the professional titles, Kayleigh cares deeply about helping people feel less alone and about changing the systems that have failed so many families. Her work is guided by compassion, honesty, and the belief that healing doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. It means finding ways to carry it with gentleness and community.
How This All Started
The heart of Kayleigh’s work is rooted in her own story. After surviving an Amniotic Fluid Embolism during the birth of her son Callahan in 2019, she experienced the trauma and isolation that so many survivors face. That experience became the catalyst for The Birth Trauma Mama: a space where survivors are met with validation and practical support instead of minimization.
What began as a way to process her own experience quickly grew into something much bigger, a community of thousands of survivors, a nationally recognized podcast, workshops, support groups, and a platform that has changed how providers and families talk about birth trauma.
Education & Credentials
Education & Licensure
Master of Social Work, University of Pennsylvania
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C)
Advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Specialized focus in perinatal trauma and severe maternal morbidity
Clinical Training
Speaking & Collaboration
AWHONN conferences
Hospital Grand Rounds
Nonprofit trainings
AFE Foundation consulting partner
WHAT GUIDES THIS WORK?
My work is grounded in trauma-informed care and the belief that survivors deserve to feel understood and supported. I approach perinatal trauma with compassion and clarity — naming what happened without minimizing it, while offering education that feels accessible rather than overwhelming.
I’m committed to helping people reclaim their voice and sense of agency, and to building communities where no one has to heal in isolation. In my work with professionals, I emphasize collaboration and practical, trauma-informed tools that improve care for patients while supporting the well-being of providers.
At the core, my goal is simple: bring hope and connection into spaces where trauma has often left silence.
KAYLEIGH WEARS TWO HATS, AND THEY SERVE DIFFERENT PURPOSES
The Birth Trauma Mama &
Holding Hope Perinatal
Holding Hope Perinatal is Kayleigh’s licensed clinical therapy practice, serving clients in Pennsylvania and Florida. If you’re looking for ongoing therapeutic treatment, that’s the right place to start.
The Birth Trauma Mama is a platform for education, consultation, community support, and advocacy. It is not a therapy practice. Services offered here include workshops, support groups, speaking engagements, and consultations designed to validate, educate, and connect.
Let’s Connect
Whether you’re a survivor looking for support, a provider seeking consultation, or an organization interested in bringing trauma-informed education to your team. I’d love to hear from you.