Individual Therapy for New and Expecting Parents
When I had my daughter, I was shocked at how few resources I was given to take care of myself as a new parent.
In response, I began to create my own resources. I researched issues relevant to parenthood and thought about how the skills I used with clients every day applied to my new role. As my practice of working with parents and expecting parents grew, I started tailoring skills and knowledge from evidence-based therapies into content specifically designed for challenges parents face. I saw a huge benefit of learning these skills, not just for my clients, but for myself.
This practice and curation of skills and exercises to benefit new parents eventually led to the pursuit of a new clinical speciality in reproductive health.
During individual therapy with me, you will participate in experiential exercises to tune in to yourself and what you need. You will also be presented with concrete and practical skills relevant to being a parent, related to topics such as:
Managing difficult emotions such as guilt, fear, anger, worry, boredom, frustration
Effective communication with your partner and other caregivers
Changes in identity, including loss of sense of self
Taking time to check in with yourself, your goals, your desires
Body image, sex, and intimacy
Self-care and Relationship-care
Individual Postpartum Recovery Planning
Most of us have heard of a “birth plan.” You’ve probably signed up for a class or two on how to care for a newborn. How much thought have you given to taking care of yourself once your baby is born?
This is where the postpartum recovery plan comes in. During our therapy sessions we will work together to answer some very important questions, including:
What kind of support do you think you’ll need postpartum? Who in your life can provide you with this support?
What expectations do you have of yourself during this time? What expectations does your partner have of you? Are these realistic? Helpful? Healthy?
What conversations do you need to have with your family and partner to have the postpartum period you desire? Do you need to set boundaries with visitors? What would those boundaries look like?
How can you prepare now so that when your baby is born you have adequate, nutritious food and time to rest?
What practices of self care need to be in place for you to thrive during your postpartum recovery?
I will help you answer these questions for yourself from a place of honesty and self-compassion, while also providing you with information on postpartum wellness. We will work together to problem solve, take action steps, and communicate with necessary support systems to turn your plan into a reality. A flexible and adaptable postpartum recovery plan can make a world of difference in your mental health as you welcome your new child into your life.
I recommend postpartum recovery planning in your second trimester. Feel free to reach out to me for a brief consultation to see when these services are right for you. Postpartum recovery planning sessions are 75 minute sessions and, in general, I recommend at least 2-3 sessions together to devise your postpartum wellness plan. I also offer follow up and troubleshooting sessions once your baby arrives.