Post Partum and Parenting Therapy
Overwhelmed with Parenting? We’re Here to Help You Thrive.
Postpartum and Parenting Support
Are you postpartum and struggling to adapt to this new stage of life, or have you been parenting for a while but unsure about the next stage? Parenting can feel overwhelming, and it's okay to feel uncertain about how to effectively parent or co-parent. Perhaps you're confused about how to best provide for your child or teenager or worried about managing their behaviour and moods. We understand these challenges, and we are here to help.
At CBT Wellness and Virtual Services, we provide a safe and supportive space for parents and families. Our experienced therapists can provide guidance, support, and effective strategies to help you navigate the ups and downs of parenthood.
The Transition to Parenthood
This transition to parenthood is often exciting and terrifying. It is usually glorified by media, social media, and even friends or family members who frequently highlight the fun parts of being a parent. We aren't saying that it's not wonderful-there are unforgettable moments, but it's not all unicorns and rainbows. Our therapists are here to help make this transition as smooth as possible.
Parenting Can Be Challenging & Rewarding
Parenting is a tough 24/7 job. It can be exhausting and demanding, but it can also be amazing and rewarding. Every age and stage is met with unique opportunities for growth, connection, and challenges. As children age, they gain more independence, which can also create more complexities with parents' identities and roles.
Recognize the Warning Signs
The reality is the transition to parenthood or the arrival of additional children sometimes involves challenging pregnancies and complications, traumatic births, difficulty breastfeeding, sleep deprivation and difficulty bonding with your baby. It also encompasses changes in your identity and relationship with yourself, your partner, friends and family. It can often be an incredibly isolating period.
Other warning signs to look out for can include excessive worrying, intrusive thoughts, extreme hopelessness or guilt, withdrawing from friends and family members, anxiety and panic attacks. We urge you to reach out if you recognize any of these in yourself.
We Can Help Make Parenting Less Challenging & Isolating
We know that parenting can be challenging for a variety of reasons, including sleep deprivation, isolation, and lack of support. We see you wearing multiple roles, such as chef, taxi driver, cleaner, caretaker, etc. We see you trying to maintain friendships and relationships with your partner or co-parent. Maybe you’re also juggling work on top of everything else, not to mention the societal pressures and cultural expectations.
We See You & Are Here to Help
We see you trying your best to juggle work, household responsibilities, parenting, and relationships. We see you navigating the unpredictability and constant schedule changes, wondering if this is “normal.” We see you balancing all the responsibilities and playing the role of caregiver, chef, taxi driver, and cleaner. We see you feeling so tired and wanting to sleep but being so wired that you’re unable to relax. We see you and are here for you.
You Are Not Alone
Parenting can feel isolating, and many parents feel unsupported. There is often conflict between parents and children/teenagers or between other family members or co-parents. Sometimes, communication between parents or children is strained. Or there are reoccurring behavioural issues that are hard to manage.
Why Parents Seek Therapy
Parents often seek therapy for various reasons, and it's always a courageous step toward improving family dynamics and their child's well-being. Here are some common reasons why parents reach out for professional support:
- Behavioural Challenges:
- Tantrums and Outbursts: Many parents struggle with managing their children's intense emotions, especially when they lead to frequent tantrums or emotional outbursts. Therapy can provide strategies and tools to help navigate these challenging moments and help you guide your children/teenagers to becoming more emotionally regulated.
- Defiance and Rule-Breaking: Children may start testing boundaries and resisting rules as they grow. Therapy can help parents understand the reasons behind this behaviour and develop effective discipline techniques.
- Acting Out and Rebellion: Sometimes, children and teenagers act out in more profound ways, such as through aggression, defiance, or risky behaviours. Therapy can help address the underlying causes of these actions and guide parents in responding constructively.
- Self-Harm: Discovering that a child or teenager is engaging in self-harm can be incredibly distressing for parents. Therapy offers a safe space to explore the reasons behind this behaviour and develop coping strategies.
- School Avoidance and Substance Use: When teenagers start missing school or turn to substances, it's a sign that they may be struggling with deeper issues. Therapy can help uncover these issues and support the teenager and their parents.
- Parenting Styles and Consistency:
- Understanding Parenting Styles: Many parents want to understand their parenting style better and how it impacts their children. Therapy can provide insights into different parenting approaches and help parents develop a more conscious and practical style.
- Consistency in Parenting: Maintaining consistency in parenting can be tricky, especially when both parents have different approaches. Therapy can help parents align their strategies and create a more unified front.
- Co-Parenting Challenges:
- Effective Communication: Co-parenting can be especially difficult when communication breaks down. Therapy can help co-parents improve their communication skills and find ways to work together in the best interests of their children.
- Shared Decision-Making: Disagreements about parenting decisions are common but can create stress and confusion for children. Therapy can help co-parents establish clear guidelines for decision-making and conflict resolution.
Issues We Can Help With
Parenting can feel isolating, and many parents feel unsupported. There is often conflict between parents and children/teenagers or between other family members or co-parents. Sometimes, communication between parents or children is strained. Or there are reoccurring behavioural issues that are hard to manage.
Our Parenting Therapists Can Help You
- Addressing lying, bullying, withdrawal
- How to appropriately discipline and set boundaries
- Identifying and understanding parenting styles
- Improving family dynamics and relationships
- Stress management
- Supporting child development
- Parenting a child with special needs (intellectual, physical or developmental disabilities, autism, mental health challenges)
- Seeking resources and support for specialized care
We want to help you find joy and fulfillment in parenting. We will help you navigate the complexities of parenting and find yourself again. While your focus may be on your children, Our focus is on YOU.
Let us help care for you so you can better care for your precious family.
How We Help
We will provide you with the emotional support that you need so you have a safe and supportive outlet to express your feelings and normalize your experience. Our therapists will guide you through learning practical tools and techniques to help keep you regulated and stable through all the changes. We will provide insight and education on the emotional, psychological and physical changes and what you can expect. We will help build your self-esteem and confidence in yourself and your parenting capabilities. We can also help you create a support network and connect you with other experts in the field, as well as groups and community resources, as desired.
Benefits of Therapy
Many of the parents we have worked with have reported
- Feeling better prepared and confident about the future and their ability to cope
- Better equipped with a multitude of healthy coping skills and strategies that they can draw upon when needed
- Improved sense of identity, connection and community
- Increased acceptance and enjoyment in the stage of life they are in
- Stronger relationships with themselves, their partner/co-parent
- Improved mental stamina
- Prevented or eliminated postpartum depression and anxiety
- Ultimately becoming a better and more present parent and person
Our therapists can help you get there, too.
We Are Flexible
We offer virtual sessions with following-day openings that can work around your unpredictable routine from the comfort of your home. We hope this makes it easier to fit into your schedule and reduces the pressure of planning your day around your appointment.
You do not have to worry or waste time driving, parking, nap schedules or childcare. While we would love you to have uninterrupted time to focus on you, we understand this is not always possible. So whether you are stuck in contact napping or feeding, this is a safe place to be you, authentically! Diaper changes, interruptions and kids are always welcome.
Let Us Be a Part of Your Village
We can help you adjust to your new life by providing support, parent coaching, emotional regulation, and healthy coping skills to help you feel confident in your parenting abilities.
Every family is unique and different. The focus is always on how I can best support you in adjusting to your current life transition through self-care, emotional and cognitive support, parenting skills, and emotion regulation. Together, we can create a plan that works for you!
Prioritize yourself - Book an appointment today.
Free 15 Min Virtual Consultation
We’re here to support you through these challenges and more, providing professional personalized care tailored to your unique needs and goals.
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