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Category: Motherhood

Fall Postpartum Support Group

Postpartum Support Group

Helping you develop mindfulness and self compassion skills to help you be a kinder, happier person and parent.

 

It’s that time again! I am all settled in my new office, so I am starting the postpartum support group again. This is a closed postpartum group, so you must register for the group ahead of time (rather than the usual pop in style group). This is because it’s a therapeutically focused group and people generally feel more comfortable sharing when they have created some type of a relationship with the people in the group. So if you are interested, please send me an email at Jessica.Scales@nextleveltherapynw.com or click on the message me now tab at the top of the page.

When: Fridays from 1 to 2:30 pm starting October 27th the group will run for six weeks (skipping the Friday after Thanksgiving)

Where: My office at 33400 9th Ave South, Suite 116 in Federal Way

Cost: Most insurance is accepted. If paying out of pocket $25 a meeting. Some scholarships available. 

Babies are welcomed! This group does not restrict how young or old your baby must be.

This group is a great way to meet other parents who are in the thick of it with you and develop some helpful tools to survive this transition into the crazy and beautiful world that is parenthood. Space is limited, so please let me know if you are interested in joining us!

 

Summer Postpartum Support Group

Starting June 22nd from 10:30 to Noon

 

Becoming a parent is a rollercoaster ride! It has moments so amazing that you can’t find the words to describe it. But it also has moments that leave you feeling unsure, unconfident, and like you are losing your mind. Come join the Postpartum Support Group to figure out how to navigate this new chapter in your life, and manage stress, so that you can enjoy this time in your life.

The next Postpartum Support Group starting June 22nd from 10:30 am to noon (babies are welcome!) and it will run for eight weeks. This is a closed group, so in order to reserve your spot, you must contact me prior to the start of the group. I will schedule a one-on-one meeting with you to learn more about your needs and how this group might benefit you. If the group is a good fit, I will register you for it at the end of our session.

Since this is a closed group focused with a therapeutic focus, your insurance may cover the cost of the group. If you are wishing to pay out of pocket, the fee is $25 each meeting. There are some scholarships available (please contact me at Jessica.Scales@nextleveltherapynw.com).

Click on the flyer below:

Postpartum Group

Mom and Mind Podcast Interview

Life with Baby Episode 28

 

Dr. Kat recently interviewed me about the importance of couples preparing their relationship for life with baby in episode 28. Dr. Kat’s podcast is a great perinatal resource. Please check out her podcast!

Click here for more information about my couple’s postpartum support group.

http://drkaeni.com/podcast/

 

 

Pre-Parental Counseling: A Couple Becoming Parents

When you are waiting for your baby to be born you probably take a class to prepare for labor and how to take care of a newborn, but I’m betting you haven’t thought about how you will prepare your relationship for this transition. Just as some take premarital counseling to prepare their relationship for marriage, couples should prepare their relationship for parenthood. Here are three reasons to prep your relationship for life with baby.

Having a baby will not fix your problems- it will highlight them

If you and your partner have trouble finding time to connect or you don’t feel like a priority in the relationship now adding a baby who needs you for everything and won’t let you get a full nights rest is not going to help. Work on these areas before the baby arrives and your transition will be smoother.

Clarifying expectations and roles

Another area that many new parents run into is not having clear expectations or roles. Maybe Mom and Dad want Dad’s role to be more hands on than it has traditionally been. That’s great… but what does that look like and mean? Clarifying expectations and roles before you are on the sleep deprived roller coaster that is parenthood, will help both of you make this happen. Once you are in the thick of it, it will also be easier for you two to adjust accordingly because you already started the conversation.

Discuss worries and fears

Going from a childless couple to a couple with children is a big deal. It really does change everything. Yes, parts of your life will remain the same, but it’s now different. It just is. So discuss your worries and fears with your partner. You both have them, even if neither of you have mentioned it. Maybe one of you is worried about if you will like this parenthood thing at all or maybe you are worried losing your current lifestyle. Maybe it’s something smaller and everyday like “Will I ever get to do things for myself again?” All of these are very real worries and fears and by talking to your partner about them you two can be there for each other.

Signing up for the Life with Baby class or coming in for therapy can help address these concerns and others, so that your relationship is ready for the transition into parenthood.

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