New Dads Often Tell Me
Having a child is one of the most important things you’ll do in your life. It’s a huge transition that you may not feel prepared for. Here’s the thing: anxiety and depression during or after a pregnancy aren’t just experienced by women. Many men can find themselves worrying, feeling confused about their role in their new family, lashing out, taking risks like drinking too much or speeding, or withdrawing.
Fatherhood can bring up a whole range of emotions, and you're allowed to feel them
this is a huge transition, and that's okay
It helps to talk to someone who gets it
It can help to talk to another man about what you’re going through. You’re not weak for having these feelings. Having a child is really fucking hard. It also means loving more deeply than you ever have before. We’ll make room for both of these realities. It’s all fair game.
Therapy is where you get to say all those things that you've been keeping to yourself
Build confidence in the dad you’re becoming
I’ll help you get ready to handle the responsibilities of fatherhood. I’ll help you understand what your pregnant partner is experiencing, or what’s been going on for them since your baby was born. You’ll become more confident in your role as a father. You’ll learn to manage your worries in safer ways. You’ll learn how to reconnect with your partner, your baby, and yourself.
Understand what’s going on (for you and your partner) and develop the tools to handle it
This goes beyond venting
I’ll be your sounding board for things you’re struggling with, but I’ll also challenge you to do things differently. If you’re experiencing worries, fears, or obsessive thoughts, we may use exposure therapy to help you deal with them, taking the wind out of their sails. We’ll use a therapy called ACT to connect you to what you value most so that you have a reason to keep moving forward.
