It is a life changing experience becoming a parent. Certainly the joy of adding to the family is enormous, but adjusting to parenthood can put a lot of stress on relationships. Sleepless nights, working and baby duties, early parenthood, the pressure of all of these can cause you disconnect. Couples therapy for new parents can have a large part to play in helping to build connections, enhance communication and strengthen the relationship.
In this blog post we will discuss what the benefits are of couples therapy for new parents, what therapy options are available, and how couples workshops can assist parents on the Sunshine Coast. We will also answer commonly asked questions regarding therapy and our workshops, to help you understand how getting help can make a difference for your relationship during such a (sometimes) challenging phase.
Understanding the Need for Couples Therapy as New Parents
As soon as a baby comes into the picture, parents are naturally consumed by their baby’s needs. However, what often happens with this shift in focus is that relationships between partners get ignored. Research shows that couples who become new parents are going to be more likely to experience a decline in relationship satisfaction, increase in stress and even relationship conflict.
In fact, research from the Bringing Baby Home program developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman shows that around 2/3 of couples experience a decline in relationship satisfaction in the first three years of parenthood.
What did the 1/3 of couples that reported positive results do differently? The couples who maintained strong relationships as they welcomed their newborn shared some common traits: they approached the parenting journey together, maintained their friendship, handled conflicts effectively, and worked as a team in caring for the new addition to their family.
Here are some of the common reasons why new parents may benefit from couples therapy:
Decreased quality time together: With a newborn always needing something coupled with the usual chores, couples may also not have time for each other. The lack of quality time sometimes becomes a reason for emotional distance.
Increased stress and pressure: Parenting is stress filled and without a healthy outlet to communicate and support each other can lead to tension and frustration in the relationship.
Changes in intimacy and affection: Many couples may just put intimacy on the back burner once a baby comes. Couples therapy can recreate the feeling of physical and emotional closeness.
Adjusting to new roles: There are many changes that go hand and hand with the transition to parenthood. In adapting to their new roles couples have to overcome feelings of resentment or disappointment.
Couples therapy provides a forward looking atmosphere for partners to navigate these problems and to continue building a strong, healthy relationship.
Key Benefits of Couples Therapy for New Parents
1. Improved Communication
Communication is always the foundation of any strong relationship. Miscommunications and misunderstandings can happen so easily in the hustle and bustle of new parenthood. In couples therapy, parents are taught how to communicate, how to express their needs and how to understand their partner’s perspective. Improved communication will help settle conflicts more peacefully and both partners will be heard and valued.
2. Rebuilding Emotional Intimacy
Intimacy between partners is common to fade during the early stages of parenthood. Couples can easily drift apart emotionally while focusing on the baby’s needs. Therapy can teach new parents how to reconnect emotionally, share their feelings and reignite their emotional connection.
3. Reduced Stress and Conflict
Parenting is stressful, and the stress of parenting a newborn can sometimes bleed over into the relationship. Couples therapy gives you the tools to deal with stress and conflict. Partners can learn to support one another and confront external pressure together.
4. Enhanced Co-Parenting Skills
Couples can improve their co parenting relationship with therapy. Discuss roles, responsibilities, expectations of everyone involved so that parents are fully aligned when it comes to raising a child. This may result in better harmonious cooperative parenting by both parents.
5. Increased Satisfaction and Connection
In general, couples therapy is likely to lead to higher degree of relationship satisfaction. A lot of times new parents go through therapy and they report feeling more connected, more fulfilled, more supported in their relationship. Despite the stresses of parenthood, the therapy process helps couples to build resilience, deepen the bond, and to enjoy a healthier partnership.
Exploring Couples Therapy Options
There are many types of therapy available, depending on what you need. There is no such thing as a one size fits all couples therapy, so it is important to find what will work for you and your partner.
1. 2 Day Intensive Couples Therapy
One highly effective therapy option for new parents is the 2 Day Intensive Couples Therapy offered by Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic. This is an immersive therapy option with single couple support, given over 2 full days. For couples who are facing more immediate issues, and who want to tackle their relationship problems in a time intensive manner, it's geared towards them. This therapy option is found by many clients to be more beneficial than weekly sessions because it provides immediate, actionable strategies for relationship improvement. For couples wanting quick, effective results, it’s an excellent option.
2. Couples Workshops
In addition to individual therapy, couples workshops can be incredibly helpful for new parents. Learning practical tools to maintain a strong relationship whilst adjusting to parenthood, these workshops offer an opportunity for couples to learn together. The topics covered in the workshops are communication, conflict resolution, intimacy and stress management.
Couples workshops can be particularly helpful for new parents who want to reconnect after experiencing the natural drift that comes with parenthood. The workshops gives couples tools and advice that helps them stay focussed on their relationship while juggling life and parenthood.
3. Online Therapy Options
If you are a couple who might not be able to attend in person sessions because of busy parenting schedule, online therapy is the way to go. Flexibility and convenience, but with expert support, is what online therapy offers. Therapy sessions can be held with couples from their own home, so it is easier to fit them into busy lives.
The Role of Couples Workshops for New Parents
Couples workshops are intended to give couples a structured environment in which they are able to put their attention on improving their relationship. These workshops are especially useful for new parents who need to tackle special challenges in life after the birth of a child. Here’s why workshops are beneficial for new parents:
Shared Experiences: Couples workshops provide an opportunity to connect with other parents at various stages of their parenting journey. Sharing experiences and feelings about parenthood can be hugely beneficial.
Learning practical skills: Workshops provide couples with concrete skills and strategies they can apply in their daily lives. These skills are designed to address specific issues like managing stress, improving communication, and maintaining intimacy.
Creating a shared understanding: Workshops help couples build a shared understanding of their goals, values, and expectations as parents. This can lead to greater harmony in the relationship and better teamwork in parenting.
Common Questions About Couples Therapy and Workshops
Q: Is the 2 Day Couples Intensive Therapy better than weekly sessions?
A: Many couples find the 2 Day Couples Intensive Therapy to be more effective than weekly sessions, as it allows for focused, concentrated attention on relationship issues. It provides immediate results and lasting change in a shorter time frame.
Q: When should we start couples therapy?
A: If you notice the signs of trouble in your relationship, it’s a good idea to begin couples therapy. The sooner you start working on your concerns, the more prepared you will be when it comes time to tackle parenthood together.
Q: How much does couples therapy cost?
A: Cost of therapy varies but a 2 Day Intensive Therapy session costs around $2,500. This is a worthwhile investment for those couples wanting quick, focused results. You can check out pricing details and book your session on the Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic website.
Becoming a new parent is an exciting, but often challenging, experience. Through couples therapy, parents benefit from a supportive, proactive approach to these problems—yet partners remain capable of keeping their relationship strong and healthy. But whether it’s through intensive therapy, workshops or online support, there are many ways to make sure your relationship is thriving when you first become parents.
At Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic, we offer specialised services to help new parents reconnect, communicate, and build a solid foundation for their future together. If you’re ready to strengthen your relationship, consider booking a couples workshop or a 2 Day Intensive Couples Therapy session today. Start your journey towards a healthier, happier relationship now!
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