Becoming a parent is one of the most life-changing journeys one can embark on. As a new or expecting parent, you’re probably experiencing a full range of emotions – joy, fear, excitement, and an overwhelming sense of “can I do this?”
Tackling parenthood is by no means an overnight triumph; on the contrary, it takes a lot of trial-and-error, and a great deal of support besides. The good news is, help is available in many forms, one of them being online counseling.
Contrary to popular belief, counseling or therapy isn’t just for “people with problems;” in fact, regular counseling is often recommended for people of all walks of life as a vital self-care tool. And learning to cope with and transcend the highs and lows of new parenting is just one of the many benefits you, or you and your partner, can glean from online counseling.
Convenient, discreet, and affordable, online counseling can help you navigate your new role as parents, strengthen your relationship with your partner, voice your concerns and feelings in a secure space, and otherwise channel your stress in a healthy, productive way. Above all, online counseling can help you establish a secure bond with your child.
Here are just a few of the surprising benefits of online counseling you could reap as a new parent.
Postpartum Assistance
It’s estimated that between 70-80% of new mothers in the US will experience postpartum depression, a figure that is likely much higher due to underreporting. One recent study published in an online edition of JAMA Psychiatry found that 1 in 7 women may experience symptoms of postpartum depression in the first year after giving birth.
Symptoms of postpartum depression (or “baby blues”) include: dramatic and unexpected mood swings, intense feelings of sadness, despair, and worthlessness, loss of energy and appetite, sleeplessness or, conversely, intense exhaustion, withdrawal from friends and family, thoughts of self-harm, and a sense of not being able to connect with your baby.
Postpartum depression can affect both men and women, and an online counselor can guide you through this difficult period with patience, positivity, and tried-and-true solutions.
Stress Relief
Let’s face it, becoming a new parent is equal parts joy and stress. Accommodating the demands of your tiny arrival while maintaining your own work and personal obligations is nothing short of a juggling act, and sometimes the stress may very well threaten to get the best of you.
Speaking with an online counselor can help you target those stressors, and adopt practical, proactive methods for overcoming those intense moments of pressure and anxiety.
Learning to manage stress is an all-around important skill no matter one’s parental status, with the far-reaching benefits affecting all areas of life.
Relationship Strengthening
A baby can be a miraculous new addition to your home, and a genuine gift to the proud parents. However, such a happily anticipated arrival can put a strain on even the healthiest relationships.
You and your partner may be struggling to master your new roles as parents while still making time for each other; perhaps one or both of you are grappling with feelings of depression, anxiety, or neglect from the other.
Frequent squabbling and lack of intimacy are also common factors of new parenting, with many couples at a loss as to how to reestablish that initial bond.
An online therapist can lay out a sound guide for couples navigating first-time parenthood, mediating discussions and providing support and feedback for whatever obstacles you encounter together.
You and your partner can learn to better communicate with each other, lend support in times of duress, and equally share in responsibilities.
Find A Balance
Becoming a parent is an all-consuming and undeniably rewarding job, but it’s important to maintain an identity outside of that role. Keeping up with friends, enjoying an active social life, and pursuing personal goals and projects is crucial to a well-rounded adult life.
If you feel your own balance has been thrown off, and that certain factors such as work and personal commitments are suffering, an online counselor can help steer you back on course, and make time for all the components that make you the meaningful individual you are.
Additional peer chat forums often provided by the platform can put you in touch with other like-minded parents, with valuable insights of their own to share.
Know You’re Not Alone
For all its many elations, parenting can sometimes be a lonely business, especially for those with babies. The time and care needed to tend to your new one can often isolate you from the wider world, which in turn can leave you feeling impossibly alone in all your trials and triumphs.
Many online counseling sites provide free peer support groups, where parents such as yourself can share your stories and tips together in a safe and non-judgmental space.
Additional activities, exercises, and updates can help you feel part of a team, and not a singular soul going it alone.
Counseling At Your Convenience
Because online counseling is conducted entirely via your electronic device of choice, with sessions scheduled at the time that best suits your agenda and responsibilities, you never have to worry about arranging babysitters or cumbersome rides across town.
From the quiet and comfort of your own home you can chat with your preferred professional, and at a much lower cost than most brick-and-mortar establishments. All listed therapists are fully licensed and experienced, with extensive reviews to help you select the best professional for your parenting needs.