The transition to parenthood and the birth of a child

Becoming a parent is a profound and enriching experience, but it also entails far-reaching changes and demands.

Frequent themes: complications during pregnancy, traumatic birth experiences, miscarriage or sudden infant death, postpartum mood disturbance or postnatal depression, illness or disability of the newborn, changes to daily routines, to family relationships and to the couple relationship.

Parental strain, burnout and conflict

In a strongly performance-oriented society in particular, parents face numerous demands and expectations across all areas of life.

Frequent themes: feeling overburdened by parenting and care responsibilities, financial worries, difficulties at work, relationship problems, strain or losses involving the family of origin, the neighbourhood or the school.

Trauma, illness, loss or conflict in parents

Critical events, illness or conflict can leave a parent absent or less able to cope, and may fundamentally alter family life and its daily organisation.

Frequent themes: illness or disability, conflict, separation or divorce, accident, bereavement or other traumatic events.

This list is not exhaustive – if other difficulties arise, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Theramama/papa

This service is intended for parents and adults who are going through a demanding and stressful phase of life and feel psychologically under strain.

Across the successive phases of family development, parents are repeatedly confronted with demanding tasks and stressful events. Parental stress and coping processes are of particular significance in this context.

Over the years I have increasingly specialised in the identification and treatment of parental stress processes. This work has shown how central specifically parental concerns are, and how much they merit dedicated support.