Online Therapy for Dads in Florida
Dads Experience Postpartum Depression Too
1 in 10 Dads will experience Postpartum Depression. If their partner has postpartum depression or anxiety then there is a 50% chance that the other partner will also have it too. It is not your fault. If you’re a father experiencing postpartum depression or other mental health struggles, know that help is available through counseling.
Don’t Forget About Dad
Being a father is such a special experience. Yet, at the same time, it comes with a lot of changes and uncertainty. There are changes to your relationship with your partner. And, there are different expectations on how you will support the family financially and emotionally. It can often feel like you are trying to be everything to everyone. Furthermore, it’s challenging to watch your partner go through many struggles. They might be having a difficult time during pregnancy, or they might be struggling to adjust to all the changes they experience postpartum. A lot of the time, you might feel helpless like there is nothing that you can do to help them.
New Dads Face many Demands that Often Cause Mental Health Struggles
As a new dad, you experience more demands of your time and resources. This leaves you feeling overwhelmed. The demands can slowly impact your mental health, leaving you feeling depleted. When you feel this way it’s hard to take care of yourself and your family. Think of it in terms of this metaphor; when you’re on an airplane the flight attendant asks you to put your oxygen mask on before you put one on your child. It’s a matter of safety. You have to take care of yourself first so you can help others.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression in Men
Feeling worried, uneasy, or tense, especially in the morning
Sleep problems
Feeling tired constantly
Find yourself wanting to drink more often
Feeling more stressed
Feeling angry or frustrated more often
Feeling burned out
Nothing seems to make you happy
Being irritable or restless
Feel like you struggle to make everyday decisions
Not wanting to see or speak to friends or others
Depressive, sad thoughts
Find yourself criticizing things more often
Feel like you just want your space and don’t want to be around anyone
Tense muscles, back pain, or gastrointestinal problems
Do Dads get Postpartum Depression?
Yes! As we mentioned, 1 in 10 Dads experiences Postpartum Depression. You are not alone.
It is important to know that it is not your fault. Having a baby changes so many things in your life. Research has shown that some factors that may play a part in the development of Postpartum Depression in men. These include their work/life balance, challenges in their relationship, lack of sleep, health issues with partner or with the baby, witnessing birth trauma, and not feeling like you are being a good parent.
It is important to know that if the partner has Postpartum Depression, then 50% of the time the Dad also has it as well.
Online Therapy for Dads Can Help
Online therapy or counseling is an effective way of helping you to manage the challenges in your life. Many times you might feel alone, feeling like you are the only one in this situation. But, this is far from the truth. We have helped many clients, using a collaborative approach feel better and co-create changes in your life.
Treatment for Anxiety or Postpartum Depression can help you feel more like yourself, feel more in control of your life, feel connected and supported during this life transition. This can allow you to be able to be there for your partner and for your child more. Our online therapists are committed to your success and supporting your change.
We use research-based, evidence-based approaches, and techniques to help you achieve success and changes in your life. For example, if you are describing anxious symptoms, we will discuss tools and resources that will help you alleviate anxiety right away. Often, clients feel comfort from knowing there are things they can do to help them feel in control and gain their life back.
Our Approach to Online Therapy for Dads
We understand that Dads need support. Just like in business, in order for a project to be successful, a project manager needs a support team. A Dad needs a support team through parenthood. A lot of the time, dads are the support team and forget to realize that they too need help to reach their greatest potential. We are here to be your support team, to get you through the challenging times and find effective solutions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT
We have found that there are many different approaches that can be helpful when working with Dads. One is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, you learn to recognize thoughts that start the anxiety or depressive chain. Then, you will work with your therapist on you gaining an understanding of how these thoughts are impacting you and how we can begin to change those thought patterns. Many of these thought patterns are just not true and realizing that offers relief and freedom.
Solution Focused Therapy
We will also discuss things that have worked for you in the past. We will focus on your strengths and successes you have had in the past when encountering challenges or changes in your life. It might be meditation, or not. It might be taking a walk outside, finding a moment for yourself, or talking to a friend. You might feel like you have tried everything. But, when you are able to have a thoughtful conversation with a counselor about what you’ve tried and found helpful or unhelpful, new ideas often arise.
We might also explore the different factors in your life that might be overwhelming you. Then, we will discuss how you respond to these stressors and ways to decrease your emotional response.
Peer Support for Dads
Another aspect that we find can be extremely helpful for Dads is Group support for dads. It might sound strange at first, but connecting Dads to parenting skill groups or local Dad communities can be really helpful.
Our main goal is for you to feel supported. A lot of times fathers can feel like they have no one to turn to, no one to go to when everything else is changing. We are here for you. Every dad deserves the support they need.
Results From Online Therapy For Dads
Calm
Rested due to Increased ability to fall and stay asleep
Relaxed
Less aggravated and angry
More in control
Confident in your ability to be there for your family
Able to make day to day decisions
Joyful and grateful
Supported and less lonely
Types of Mental Health Issues Dads Experience
Paternal Anxiety Disorders
General anxiety or postpartum anxiety in dads can occur before having a baby, while your partners is pregnant, or postpartum. You might have noticed that you have begun to feel constantly worried or nervous about many different things. Or, you may not be able to pinpoint exactly what triggered your anxiety. But, you know that you generally just worry more. Maybe, you are worried about things at work, the health of your partner, or the health of your new baby. Or, you are just generally feeling on edge.
You might find that you're anxious when you wake up. Your mind begins to race about all the things you have to do today. You haven’t even got out of bed and you are already overwhelmed. People with general anxiety don’t know how to stop the cycle of worry, even though they might have tried. Often, they feel like their anxiety prevents them from doing so many things in life and controls them.
Hormonal Shifts in Dads and Mental Health
Moms aren’t the only ones that go through hormonal shifts during parenthood. Shifts in hormones are a biological risk factor for mental health disorders. Research has shown that dads also go through hormonal shifts. It is possible for Dads to see a decrease in testosterone either when their partner is pregnant or after they have given birth. Dads can also see an increase in cortisol at any point during parenthood. This can impact sleep, among other things. Dads have also seen to have an increase in estrogen, vasopressin, and prolactin/oxytocin. Not all these changes are bad, some are helpful for bonding. But, it is important to note that they can have a drastic impact on the mental health of fathers.
Dads and Postpartum Depression
We now know that fathers also experience postpartum depression. Research estimates that 1 in 10 men go through postpartum depression. Men who experience postpartum depression often discuss feeling intense anger and rage. They can’t seem to pinpoint what is making them angry. They just have an overwhelming sense of frustration that causes them to have less patience. Dads who are experiencing postpartum depression and often feel stressed, burnt out, and overwhelmed. They find themselves withdrawing or disconnecting from relationships. Dads battling postpartum depression sometimes have muscle pains, gastrointestinal (GI) issues, and feel constantly exhausted, even after sleeping. Know that there are things you can do to feel better.
Lack of Confidence about Fatherhood and Being a Dad
As a dad, you might feel like you have to be there for everyone and keep it all together. You might feel that you are weak if you can’t fix your own problems. Or, worry that your relationship with your partner has changed since the baby was born. And, you really want to find a way to reconnect with your partner. You might have tried to express your thoughts and what you are feeling to your partner, but it didn’t work out how you want it. Your whole life changed after having a child and adjusting to the new normal can be scary and take time. It is okay to feel like this.
Expectations and the Pressures of Being A Dad
These days, dads are expected to be more involved with their children than any other generation. In order to be hands-on and nurturing, they have to violate traditional masculine traits. And, to be emotionally available for their partner they need to do the same. Today’s generation of fathers are expected to be there for their children, their partner, and take care of themselves.
We can’t forget about dads! Fathers, also need someone to support them during this challenging time. Especially if they have a partner who also has postpartum depression or an anxiety disorder. The issue is that traditional masculinity says that dads should not seek help, they should be able to take care of themselves, be independent, and not show emotion. It puts a lot of pressure on Dad to be everything to everyone.
We know it might be hard to reach out for support. But reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength. Getting online therapy for dads can help you feel better and be present for your partner and new baby.
Being a Dad Today in Our Society
Being a Dad today can feel confusing. Especially, if your dad wasn’t the father you wish to be. Your own father might have valued traditional masculine roles. You know you want to parent differently but you have not seen specific examples of how you want to parent.
Research on Fatherhood
A research study by Brannon (1976), looked at what traditional masculinity is and found four components. One is anti-feminity, meaning that masculinity was everything that femininity wasn’t. That meant, if women cried, men didn’t cry. Women wore dresses, so men never wore dresses. Traditional masculinity also highlighted status and achievement. Men are seen to be providers and are revered when they achieve financial success. A lack of emotion and independence were other factors associated with traditional masculinity. To be a man, meant that you were never to show emotion and didn’t depend on others. The last component of traditional masculinity was aggressiveness and adventure. Aggression and anger were one of the emotions that Dads were allowed to express.
The generation of dads today is often referenced as the “fatherhood generation gap.” You want to be involved in parenting your child. Even though your own father did not model this behavior while you were growing up. But, being involved and managing other demands can feel overwhelming and exhausted. Sometimes, you find yourself pulling back and letting your partner or spouse do the work of childrearing, even though that wasn’t your plan initially. This isn’t the case for every Father. However, for some new dads, their fears of becoming like their Dad affects their overall mental health.
As a dad, you might relate to experiencing the pressures of these values. Or, you might wish to distance yourself from them so that you can be a different kind of dad. Either way, dads like you may feel a lot of pressure to act a certain way. As a man, you may feel like you are not allowed to show emotions and you don’t have anyone to depend on. We are here for you, dad, if you need that person to depend on.
Common Questions about Dads and Therapy
Will my insurance cover my online therapy?
Unfortunately, we do not take insurance at this time. There are a couple of reasons why we don’t. One of those reasons has to do with confidentiality. Often insurance requires that you provide your medical notes and records. These records can go through many different hands at the insurance company. Another is, in order to be covered by insurance you have to receive a psychiatric diagnosis, which at times does not always fit the clients we are seeing.
We understand if you would like to go through your insurance and happy to connect you with other practitioners who do accept insurance.
Where do you offer counseling for Dads?
We offer online therapy in Florida. Our counseling office is physically located in Miami, South Florida. However, we are not offering in-person therapy at the moment for the safety of clients and our therapists.
I am not sure if therapy is right for me. How will I know if therapy is what I need?
We understand that the last thing you might want to do is have to deal with yet another appointment. You may associate therapy with severe mental illness, but you can function fine. Perhaps, you believe that you should be able to solve your own problems, and don’t need help.
No matter how you view therapy, what is important is that if you are struggling you deserve things to be different. You deserve to be happy, feel less stressed, and be supported. Taking care of yourself is so important. It is not only important for you but for your child, your family, and your partner. When you take care of yourself, you’ll likely feel better, then you can be present with the people you love.
Our therapists are here for you. If you would like to learn more about counseling you can reach out to us, or schedule your first consultation.
Begin Online Therapy for Dads in Florida:
Dad, you deserve to find relief from your symptoms. Our therapists would be honored to help you feel better and more confident that you can handle life’s challenges with greater ease. To begin online therapy in Miami, Florida, follow these steps:
Contact our South Florida counseling center,
Request an initial consultation appointment with an online therapist
Allow yourself the opportunity to heal and find peace through counseling.
Other Services Offered at The Heard Counseling:
The Heard Counseling offers mental health services tailored to meet the mental health needs of adults and couples at our therapy center based in Miami, Florida. Right now, they are offering all their counseling services via online therapy in Florida to protect the health of their clients and therapists. In addition to therapy for Dads and Postpartum Depression, they also offer postpartum anxiety and postpartum anxiety treatment, birth trauma treatment, therapy for moms, infertility counseling and support, therapy for women and families who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss, and counseling for teens. Check out their blog for valuable mental health tips. Contact their counseling office to learn more about the many ways they can help you live well.
Contact Us
april@theheardcounseling.com
(305) 998-2665
Offering Online Therapy for Clients in FLORIDA
Office Located in Miami, Florida in South Florida