Normal Nervousness or Postpartum Anxiety? Understanding the Differences
Postpartum anxiety is estimated to affect around 10% to 20% of women in the postpartum period. However, it’s important to note that the actual numbers may be even higher due to the underreporting and difficulty in distinguishing between normal nervousness and postpartum anxiety.
Navigating the Challenges of Gentle Parenting
“Gentle parenting,” a term first coined by Dr. William Sears, a renowned pediatrician, has become an increasingly popular parenting style in recent years. As a new generation of parents seek to do things differently than their parents did, many are turning to methods that are backed by research and have a more child-centered approach.
Attachment Theory: The Science Behind the Bond
As a parent, one of the most important things you’ll do is create a bond with your child. But have you ever wondered what makes a bond “secure” or how you can help ensure that your child develops a secure attachment?
The Utility of Mindfulness During Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery
Birthing individuals undergo many changes during conception, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery that often have impacts on their mental health. Parents who practice mindfulness are more likely to have greater self-compassion. Studies have shown that practicing mindfulness exercises for as little as three minutes daily can have significant and long-lasting improvements in one’s mental health.
Mastering the Art of Conflict
Most people don’t look forward to fighting with their partner. Conflict with your partner can be painful. However, if done effectively, it can also create positive change and help you and your partner learn more about each other. As a couples therapist, I consistently witness the power of increased understanding and compassion that comes from fighting.
Understanding and Managing Mom Guilt
Picture this: You are all ready for your first night out in over six months, but just as you get to the front door you start to feel an uneasiness in your stomach, a tightening in your chest, and a heavy heart. You start to wonder if your baby will miss you, if your partner will feed her correctly, if maybe you should just stay home…
Cue the mom guilt spiral.
So You’re Thinking of Trying Couples Therapy
The process of initiating couples therapy can be particularly daunting. Not only are you entrusting a total stranger to share your most intimate and difficult internal experiences with, but you’re doing it with your partner. Often, this is the person who matters the most to you, and right now, the relationship may feel rocky. Let’s take a second to honor this. Coming to couples therapy requires a real leap of faith that this therapist may be able to help you and your partner and bring you to solid ground. To assist with this leap, I’ll address a few of the biggest blocks couples face in beginning treatment.
Navigating Generational Conflict: How to maintain your parental boundaries during the holiday season
The holidays often mean spending more time than usual with extended family. This means that parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, great aunts, etc. may be spending more time with your children. This can be a great thing, as loving relationships with relatives are a good for a child’s social development, self-esteem, and even cognitive skills. Nonetheless, conflict can arise when a family member has different ideas than the parent about how to best raise children.
Space to Grieve: Supporting loved ones through pregnancy loss
Although today’s culture is more open about discussing women’s mental health, pregnancy loss continues to be a topic seldom discussed. This silence around a common occurrence (10-25% of pregnancies are lost) can lead to feelings of isolation for the birthing partner and close family. Additionally, the lack of information can leave friends and family wondering how to show up for their loved ones and support them after loss. While every person’s experience of pregnancy loss is different, here are some general suggestions to help you be there for your loved ones.
The Good Enough Mother: Interrupting Perfectionism and Fostering a Healthier Relationship to Parenting
In parenthood there is often a desire and pressure to get it right, but not just right, perfect. The perfect schedule, the perfect educational toys, the perfect amount of independent play versus structured play, the perfect sleep schedule, the perfect amount of screen time, the perfect weight, the perfect latch, and so on, and so on…
Surviving Toddler Tantrums
Your child asks for water. You give your child some water. And suddenly the screaming starts…What is going on? The water could have the wrong temperature, could be in the wrong cup, your child may not like the way you handed them the water – who knows. The one thing that is clear is that your child is about to have a tantrum. Read on to learn what tantrums are, why they happen, how to deal with them, and better yet, how to prevent them.
More Than Just the Baby Blues: Postpartum Depression
When a baby is born, many assume that the birthing parent will be nothing less than overjoyed. However, it is more typical for birthing parents to experience a range of complex emotions after bringing a baby into the world. When these emotions become predominantly negative and longstanding, leaving parents feeling like they don’t know what to do, where to turn, or whom to ask for help, they may be experiencing Postpartum Depression (PPD).
Before The Aisle: Building a Modern Marriage
As the “mental health generation” prepares to walk down the aisle, psychologically-minded couples are considering premarital counseling to start their unions on the right foot. Despite this growing interest, many couples wonder: what is premarital counseling, anyway?
Dating: Not for the Faint of Heart
Dating, especially in New York City, is not for the faint of heart. This is one of the most discussed topics for our single clients. We caught up with Dr. Nadia Nieves for her advice on how to deal with some common dating concerns we hear from our clients.
Time Outs: The Secret to Healthy Conflict
Believe it or not, arguing can save your romantic relationship. Differences are inevitable in intimate relationships and conflict provides an opportunity to harness healthy aggression to clear the air and make space for growth. More relationships die by ice than by fire— meaning the bigger danger is disconnection, not conflict. However, not all arguments are created equal. Studies show that fights filled with contempt, stonewalling, criticism, and defensiveness erode relationships. Learning to fight well is key in lasting relationships.
Ready to find your therapist?
Start with a brief conversation with one of our directors, senior psychologists who personally guide every match. We’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and connect you with the therapist who is the best fit for your needs.