Postpartum and Birth Trauma Therapy for New Dads in Fort Collins, Colorado
Maybe You Feel
Like It’s Just You
But did you know?
dads experience depressive and anxious symptoms within the first year of their child’s life related to the postpartum period
1 in 5
Does this sound like you?
“It’s isolating feeling like everyone assumes postpartum struggles are only for moms.”
"I’m stuck between desperately wanting to be close to my family while also feeling crushed by the pressure to continue to provide.”
"I’m not connecting with my baby the way I thought I would, and I miss my partner more than ever.”
"I’m snapping at the people I love. The shame I feel is overwhelming.”
"I’m constantly hyper vigilant and protective of my partner and baby. The lack of sleep is wearing me down.
“Even though my baby is here and healthy, I can’t stop reliving the fear that I felt during delivery.”
"I feel like I should have been able to protect my partner from the trauma of our delivery but instead I felt powerless."
"The images and sensations won’t stop playing through my mind.”
"I never thought I would experience loss. I feel an overwhelming emptiness inside myself and in my home.”
“Sometimes the strongest thing you can do for yourself and your family is to be brave enough to ask for help.”
I’m a Dad. I’m Living it Too.
I love being a dad! It’s something I knew I always wanted to experience. And at the same time it’s also challenging. I get the frustration of loving the role you’re in and waited so long for while also feeling stuck with shame that arises and builds for struggling in ways you never thought you would.
The sleepless nights, erratic schedules, and endless new responsibilities slowly eat away at your sense of identity and level of connection with your partner that you are used to. Before you fully realize what’s happening you, or others around you, notice the increased irritability, emotional withdrawal, and overall heaviness that you carry. Somehow you’re expected to carry all this newness and chaos well in a strong and dignified manner. Maybe on the outside that appears to be the case, but on the inside you’re drowning and blaming yourself for it.
The therapeutic work I invite other men into is not something I ask them to do alone. I’m in it with them. As a father of two young children, fatherhood, marriage, and my own individuality are things I’m working on everyday and do so imperfectly. When my children were born I struggled with my own postpartum mental health symptoms and I quickly noticed how sparse the support for new dads (and non birthing partners) is. It soon became my mission to help more new dads feel understood and supported into their journey of parenthood as well. By supporting you in your work to be the best version of yourself, your partner and children will subsequently be better supported as well.
Together we will be able to help you understand your anxiety, irritability, and sadness and learn how to no longer feel ashamed of it. In therapy you will be able to process a difficult birth or loss without having to be the "strong" one, and learn to reconnect with your partner in a way that feels close, fulfilling, and supportive again.