New Parents

Becoming a parent is a transformative experience filled with joy, and also plenty of challenges. New parents usually feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and uncertain as they navigate the demands of caring for a newborn. All the while, they’re adjusting to their new roles. Sleepless nights, fluctuating emotions, and doubts about parenting abilities are everyday experiences shared by many new parents. 

They say it takes a village, but many of us wonder where that village actually is. As a new parent, you might find yourself feeling alone and isolated.

New parents: you are not alone in this whirlwind of a life change. 

Two adults, one with blue hair, are lying on a bed and gently touching a newborn baby they are holding between them. All three are wearing white shirts. This tender moment epitomizes the strength and connection that can often be cultivated through online couples therapy in NJ.

Does this sound like you?

Sarah and Jack, a couple in their early thirties, recently welcomed their first child, Emily, into the world. While overjoyed with their new addition, they struggle to navigate parenthood’s challenges. Sleep deprivation, disagreements over parenting styles, changing hormones, and overwhelming feelings have begun to strain their relationship. 

Sarah tries turning to friends and family but feels like more of a failure after every attempt to talk about her struggles. On the other hand, Jack finds himself completely isolated as a new father. The support that was supposed to be there from their families, friends, and community is absent or insufficient. 

With limited resources and no handbook on how to do this, they realize they need a neutral third party to help. They decide to enter therapy together to navigate the complexities of parenthood and strengthen their bond as partners.

Help and Advice for New Parents in NJ

Seeking support from healthcare professionals, parenting communities, and loved ones is not a sign of weakness or failure. Getting help for this huge life change is a step towards nurturing yourself and your growing family. Embracing the ups and downs of parenthood with compassion, patience, and a willingness to learn can help. You can navigate this exciting and challenging chapter of your lives with confidence and resilience.

New parenthood REALLY is that hard. And the data proves it.

The challenges of new parenthood are pervasive. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), approximately 70-80% of new mothers experience some form of mood disturbance. These are commonly referred to as the “baby blues”, and it happens within the first few weeks after childbirth. Moreover, postpartum depression affects approximately 1 in 7 new mothers and 1 in 10 new fathers globally, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Sleep deprivation, another prevalent difficulty, is a hallmark of early parenthood. Studies show that new parents typically experience a 40-60% reduction in total sleep time during the first few months after childbirth. These statistics underscore the widespread nature of the challenges faced by new parents. They emphasize the importance of recognizing and addressing these issues with empathy, support, and access to appropriate resources.

As a New Parent, communicating with others is difficult

Your life looks completely different than it did before becoming a parent. You may notice strain in your relationships, mood, work performance, focus, and more. As a new parent, you’re likely either accessing every resource under the sun or so overwhelmed that you can’t even think about what to try next. But you know something isn’t working. You may find yourself thinking or saying:

  • I want to bring this up to my partner, but I don’t know how.
  • Things are so stressful right now, and I don’t want to hurt their feelings.
  • No one is paying attention to my limits, and my anger keeps getting worse.
  • I know things aren’t working, but I’m so exhausted. I don’t even know where to start.
  • I don’t have time or energy right now to work on myself/my relationship/parenting.

As a result of this overwhelm, your relationships are suffering. You may feel distant from others around you. Coming home or being stuck at home feels heavy. You might dread what’s waiting for you when you walk through the door or open your eyes in the morning. You and your partner are often on edge, to the end of thinking at times, “Why did we even do this?”  

A new parent sits with their head in their hand, partially covering their face, next to a plant. They are wearing a dark green sweater and have long dark hair. They are exhausted from the demands of new parenthood, which we understand very well!

Others tell you, “It will get better.” But what are you supposed to do in the meantime? 

Finding the balance between what our partners expect of us as parents and what we need from them is a challenging task. This requires efficient communication skills and openness to compromise. But there is hope for getting real help. Individual, couple, and family therapy in NJ can be incredibly beneficial for new parents. You can get help in navigating the significant transition of welcoming a child into the family. 

7 ways therapy for new parents can help

  1. Communication Skills: Therapy can teach you and your partner effective, evidence-based communication skills. Effective communication is crucial for navigating the challenges of parenting together. Therapists can teach you techniques for active listening, expressing needs, and resolving conflicts constructively.
  2. Coping with Stress: A new baby’s arrival increases parents’ stress. Therapy provides a supportive environment where parents can explore their stressors and learn healthy coping mechanisms. Therapists may introduce relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, or stress management strategies to help parents better manage their emotions.
  3. Adjusting Roles: Becoming parents often requires renegotiating roles and responsibilities within the family. Therapy can facilitate discussions about these changes and help parents establish realistic expectations for each other. This can prevent feelings of resentment or imbalance in the relationship.
  4. Building a Stronger Relationship: Parenthood can strain even the strongest of relationships. Therapy offers a space for couples to nurture their bond and strengthen their relationship. Therapists may guide couples in activities such as exercises or discussions about shared values and goals to enhance intimacy.
  5. Addressing Parenting Concerns: Therapy can help new parents address concerns and uncertainties about parenting. Therapists may offer guidance on child-rearing practices, provide information on child development, and support parents in making decisions that align with their values and goals.
  6. Supporting Mental Health: Postpartum depression and anxiety are common concerns for new parents. Therapy provides a safe and non-judgmental space for parents to discuss their feelings and experiences. Therapists can offer emotional support, validate parents’ experiences, and provide referrals for additional mental health resources if needed.
  7. Creating a Support Network: A therapist can assist new parents in building a support network outside of therapy. This may involve connecting with other parents in similar life stages, joining parenting groups or classes, or strengthening relationships with family and friends.

Making Time for Counseling – New Parents in NJ

Close-up of a new parent's hand gently holding a baby's hand, both wearing white garments, while lying down on a white surface. If you need help with the transition to becoming a new parent, we're here for you.

You may even recognize that you need help but are thinking, “When are we going to find the time to get help?” Finding time for therapy can be challenging for new parents. 

Here are some tips for fitting therapy into your new life as parents:

Remember that you only need 1 hour every 1-2 weeks to start therapy. It’s important to prioritize your well-being, and therapists often offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate busy schedules like yours, especially with the use of online therapy in New Jersey.

Counseling can provide new parents with the tools, support, and guidance they need to navigate the joys and challenges of parenthood while working to maintain a healthy and fulfilling relationship.

Individual and Couples Therapy in NJ

Therapy offers new parents a safe, non-judgmental space to express their emotions and concerns. It validates their experiences and provides relief from feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. By sharing their challenges with a therapist, parents gain coping strategies to navigate parenthood’s emotional ups and downs. 

Therapy also helps enhance the parent-child bond through understanding developmental needs and communication techniques. It also equips parents with essential stress-management tools, parenting skills, and knowledge of infant care and child development. Investing in therapy empowers new parents to thrive in their role. It fosters resilience, self-awareness, and healthy family dynamics, benefiting both parents and children in the long term.

Couples Counseling in NJ

For new parents engaged in counseling, life can look something like this:

A man and woman, both with long hair, stand closely together indoors. The woman holds a baby, and the man gently touches the baby’s head. They look content and engaged with the baby, as if having just completed a successful nj online couples therapy session that brought them even closer. This could be your reality with the help and support you need.

Start Counseling for New Parents in NJ

Adjusting to parenthood can be incredibly challenging, filled with emotions and uncertainties. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and even lost as you navigate this new chapter of your life. The demands of caring for a newborn, the sleepless nights, and constant multitasking can leave you feeling like you’re barely keeping your head above water. 

But please know you’re not alone in this journey. Many new parents face similar struggles, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed or unsure at times. Remember to be kind to yourself, take things one step at a time, and reach out for support when needed. You’re doing an incredible job, even on the most challenging days.

To get support from a therapist in NJ, follow these steps:

  1. Read our FAQs about therapy and our FAQs about couples therapy.
  2. Fill out a request form on our contact page to schedule a therapy appointment.
  3. One of our compassionate team members will contact you within 1 business day (excluding holidays) for a phone consultation. The initial phone consultation is complimentary and helps us learn more about how we can help.
  4. During the initial phone consultation, our compassionate team member will ask about what you’ve been struggling with, or what you hope to achieve in therapy. We will share information about each of our therapists, including their specialties and availability.
  5. If we’re a good fit for your needs, we match you with one of our in person or online New Jersey therapists. If either of us feel we are not the right fit, we can provide the names of other providers who may be able to help.

Online Couples Therapy in NJ

It can be overwhelming and complicated to find time for couples therapy, NJ couples especially! Indeed, it’s difficult for couples to put aside time away from work, home responsibilities, and child care. Online couples counseling in NJ can solve this problem. You can be at home with your partner or in separate locations. That’s right–you and your partner can log into your session even if you’re in different places in New Jersey!

Couples Therapy in Metuchen, NJ

If you’re seeking couples therapy in NJ, you may prefer to meet with someone in person. If you have kids or other family at home, you need a confidential space to discuss the issues in your relationship. You may feel more connected to your therapist when you’re able to meet face-to-face. If this sounds like you, in person couples therapy in New Jersey could be the right fit.

To learn more about individual, couple, and family counseling for new parents in New Jersey, read our FAQs about therapy or contact us directly.