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.
How to get Unstuck In a Conflict, from a Seattle and Bellingham Couples Therapist
As a queer, postpartum online couples therapist in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and Bellingham, the topic I talk most about in my sessions is one that is key to mastering in any conflict: validation. Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a disagreement, feeling like your words are falling on deaf ears? Or perhaps you've been on the receiving end of someone's frustration, wishing they understood where you were coming from? If neither of you are getting validation of your feelings from your partner, you’re going to be unable to truly focus on listening to, connecting with, and understanding each other in a conflict, and therefore you’re going to get stuck. Validating each other’s feelings is key to getting unstuck in any difficult conflict.