In Therapy, We Know A Difficult Adjustment to Becoming a Parent Isn’t a Disease
At Tribeca Maternity, we’re the first to acknowledge that becoming a parent is no small thing. It’s one of the hardest and most important things you’ll ever do, and the transition can be tremendously difficult.
During any adjustment to parenthood, partners can deal with postpartum depression and anxiety too. Your daily life looks entirely different, your relationship may be affected, and you may be learning to love and parent in a way you never received yourself. At Tribeca Maternity, we understand that your struggle isn’t a disease. In therapy at our offices in Lower Manhattan, as well as phone and video therapy sessions, we’ll help you process your own emotional needs, while still providing the help and love that your family needs as well.
Your Role May Not Be the Same as Your Partner’s, But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Not Important
Whatever kind of relationship you’re in, your role may not be the same as your partner’s. You may be going back to work (even from home) while your partner isn’t yet, or vice versa. It may feel as though too much care falls on you, or not enough. Sometimes you may be playing second fiddle when it comes to caring for your baby—but that doesn’t mean your role isn’t important. In therapy, we help individuals and couples understand, define, and adjust to their new roles.
We’ll Create a Plan to Take Care of You and Your Family
Depression and anxiety can get you stuck, and it can be hard to see the way out. At Tribeca Maternity, we’ll set up a plan to take care of you while you take care of your family—because taking care of you is taking care of the family. We’ll help you:
- Create a plan for you and your partner to get the support system you need
- Slow down and find time for yourself and your partnership
- Set limits with work
- Get to know and bond with the baby
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety in Couples
When one partner is experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety, the other partner is affected—and sometimes both partners are experiencing it. In couples therapy, we’ll help you and your partner:
- Work through what depression and/or anxiety looks like to each of you
- Talk about the transition to parenthood
- Explore past relational experiences that may be coming up now that a new family member is present
- Connect with one another both emotionally and physically
- Understand how you think and feel about this major life change
- Contend with lack of sleep, little time, changes in your relationship, and other postpartum adjustments
- Work on what it means to learn to love and parent in a way you may not have gotten yourself