About Couple Therapy for New Parents at CityCouples™

Some new parents are overjoyed during their child’s infancy, and experience only slight discontent. Others feel overwhelmed, confused, and exhausted. The range of experiences amongst couples contributes to feelings of isolation for parents who are not enjoying this time. These couples often keep their struggles to themselves, due to feelings of guilt and shame.

At CityCouples™, we understand that the time after the birth of the first child is a period of crisis for many couples. If it has been a struggle for you, we are here to help.

Therapy At CityCouples™

At CityCouples, we work carefully with each partner and couple to understand the current experience of distress for both partners. We help each partner communicate and process the feelings that brought them to therapy.

For new parents having difficulty adjusting to their life with a child, we recommend at least six sessions. Then, with your therapist, you’ll evaluate whether or not further sessions are necessary.

Our Therapy Process

Week One: 90-minute Online Welcome Therapy Session

During this session, your therapist will review information you’ve shared in questionnaires provided to you when you scheduled your initial appointment, and answer your questions. You and your therapist will discuss how the transition to being parents has been a struggle for you, and your relationship. Your therapist’s main goal is to listen and understand your specific situation. During the final moments of this session, you’ll express your goals for the relationship, and any concerns that you have moving forward. Together with your therapist, you will decide on a therapy path, including number, frequency, and length of sessions.

Week Two through Closing: 60-90 minute Online Couple Therapy Sessions

You and your therapist will work together to help you adjust to the changes in your relationship and family. This will include, but is not limited to:

• Understanding the factors that are contributing to your struggles (possibly exhaustion, lack of communication, feelings of loss, partner judgment or resentment)

• Processing disappointment and unmet expectations

• Learning practical strategies for not only surviving, but succeeding during this stage

When you are trying to survive and highly stressed, it nearly impossible to sacrifice for others. After becoming new parents, it is common for partners to discover unwelcome qualities in each other that had not yet made an appearance in the relationship. Therapy is a safe place to discuss these new realities.

Closing: Final One-Two Therapy Sessions

Once couples reach this stage, they are able to articulate that the problem that brought them to CityCouples™ has been solved. During these final sessions, you as a couple, along with your therapist, will review the progress that you’ve made since session one. You will also develop a plan for moving forward, so that you continue to feel confident about your relationship after therapy ends.

You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your level of satisfaction with the therapy work you’ve done, and to provide feedback. In fact, throughout therapy, your therapist will make sure that you are making progress and will request your ongoing feedback.