Seattle Postpartum Couples Therapist Explains: How to Support You Partner Through Postpartum Depression
Couples deal with so much change during the postpartum period. As a postpartum couples therapist in Seattle and online throughout Washington, I see couples get into conflicts or feel disconnected from each other throughout this life change for a myriad of different reasons. When couples come in for marriage counseling, one of the most common reason couples have a hard time connecting when dealing with a new baby is because of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS). Specifically, it is common to experience postpartum depression (PPD). While often associated with the birthing partner, both members of the couple can experience postpartum depression. PPD can profoundly impact both members of the couple and significantly strain the dynamics of a relationship. A question I get asked a lot as a perinatal psychotherapist is this: how do I support my partner and our relationship through postpartum depression?
Navigating the Postpartum Journey: Building Bridges with Extended Family
As an online postpartum couples therapist in Seattle, Bellingham, and across Washington, I’m often supporting couples in navigating family dynamics. Bringing a new baby into the world often means you need your village. If you or your partner has a good relationship with your parents, chances are they are coming to visit your new baby and hopefully support you two as you navigate the beginnings of parenthood. While this can be a lovely experience, it often comes with its downfalls as well. Here are common struggles couples face with family during the perinatal and postpartum as well as tips and strategies for fostering positive connections with your family and in-laws. Uniting with your partner on each of these strategies is integral to getting your needs met from extended family.
Seattle Therapist Weighs in: Navigating Overstimulation as a New Parent
Seattle Postpartum Therapist Weighs In: Navigating Overstimulation as a New Parent
As a postpartum and neurodivergence therapist in Washington state (including Seattle, Bellingham, Tacoma, and Spokane), and a person with ADHD myself, I am often encountering individuals and couples who are new parents and are unsure about why they are feeling anxious, angry, or disconnected from themselves “for no reason”. But part of the answer might be very simple, actually: being in the fourth trimester is often the most overstimulating experience people have had throughout their lives.
Weathering the Storm: Understanding Common Postpartum Conflicts Among Couples
Becoming parents is a monumental milestone that can bring boundless joy, but it also introduces a new set of challenges. The postpartum period, while filled with the sweet moments of baby coos and tiny fingers, is often time of heightened stress for couples. Many conflicts you had before baby can be highlighted after baby, and new types of conflicts often pop up as well. Below are some of the most common postpartum conflicts that many couples face, and our suggestions with how to navigate them.