Couples Therapy for New Parents (And Those Planning to Be)
Let’s start with those already navigating pregnancy or postpartum phases and noticing an increase in stressors and decrease in connection. You are so not alone!
Relationship dissatisfaction tends to decrease within the first year of having baby, and some of the cracks in the foundation actually start before baby is born.
From identify shifts to changes in sexual intimacy to trying to balance the mental and physical load to the impact of mental health issues like anxiety and depression on the relationship, there is a lot weighing on relationships during the perinatal period.
Luckily, couples therapy can help facilitate repair, connection and understanding.
And for those reading who are planning ahead, this is wonderful news and guess what? We all wish we did that too :) With such predictable stressors, this is one area where finding clarity on specific topics, improving communication on the practical and emotional matters, and tending to that foundation can really help.
Common Relationship Issues We See In The Perinatal Period:
Communication Challenges
Misunderstandings due to exhaustion
Difficulty expressing needs without conflict
Feeling unheard or invalidated
Different expectations about parenting roles
Emotional & Mental Load Issues
Unequal division of caregiving or household labor
One partner carrying most of the planning, tracking, and decision-making
Feeling unappreciated or taken for granted
Resentment building silently
Intimacy & Connection
Reduced physical intimacy or mismatched desire
Feeling more like “co-parents” than partners
Emotional distance
Body image changes affecting intimacy
Identity & Role Changes
Struggles adjusting to new identities (parent vs. partner vs. individual)
One partner feeling loss of independence
Differing parenting styles or values surfacing
Conflict Patterns
Increased frequency of arguments
Small issues escalating quickly
Blame or defensiveness
Avoiding conflict to “keep the peace”
Stress & External Pressures
Financial stress
Sleep deprivation
Return-to-work transitions
Lack of family or social support
Mental Health Impacts
Postpartum depression or anxiety affecting one or both partners
Birth trauma influencing closeness or trust
Feeling alone even when partnered
How Does Couples Therapy Help With New Parenthood?
1. By helping to improving communication for when you’re exhausted and need it the most. The worst time to try to develop new communication skills is in the middle of the night in the middle of a fight. We teach and facilitate the practice of clearer ways to express needs and emotions so you are more likely to communicate better when you need to.
2. By reducing resentment and mental load imbalance. We help couples renegotiate roles, expectations, and fairness so resentment has less room to grow. This is a space to get honest and tactical when it comes to all the many responsibilities attached to early parenthood.
3. By rebuilding connection and teamwork. There’s nothing like an uninterrupted space focused on you and you to enhance compassion and understanding that supports emotional closeness, intimacy, and feeling like partners—not just co-parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Many couples seek therapy during the transition to parenthood to improve communication, manage stress, and reduce conflict.
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No. Rather than taking sides, couples therapists are trained to look at the dynamics occurring between a couple (we often refer to this as your go-to dance) and to help tease out patterns and help identify deeper needs.
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Absolutely. Therapy strengthens teamwork and connection, even in healthy relationships under stress. PS Even when there is conflict we assume the love is there somewhere buried under burdens.
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We do not accept insurance and are considered out-of-network providers. Go here for more information on this and fee-related information.