Couples Counseling For Parents

In a reflective milestone discussion, the hosts share transformative insights from years of counseling couples. They emphasize the bravery needed to confront fears and how humility fosters healing. Curiosity is highlighted as a key tool to defuse tension, while understanding your partner's past can reshape conflicts. They advocate for celebrating joy amidst challenges and reveal how parenting often drives couples to overcome dysfunctional patterns. Ultimately, conflict is reframed as an opportunity for connection and growth.

Got a question, comment, or just want to drop some encouragement? Send us a text.Remember when you and your partner felt like soulmates, deeply connected and growing stronger together? Then parenthood arrived, and suddenly those old insecurities you thought were healed came rushing back with surprising force. You're not alone, and no—you didn't make a mistake choosing each other.Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP state, "What's happening is a normal developmental challenge that catches most couples by surprise." The intense stress of parenting activates our nervous systems, bringing along familiar patterns, thoughts and feelings from our past. Your partner, who once soothed these core wounds, seems to be triggering them at the worst possible moment.Through the story of Annabeth and Selena, we explore how one partner's feeling of "everything falls on me" collides with the other's sense that "nothing I do is ever enough"—creating a painful cycle that many parents recognize. When Annabeth expresses feeling overwhelmed and alone, Selena withdraws, feeling criticized and inadequate. Each response intensifies the other's core wound, despite their deep love for each other.The path forward isn't about solving logistical problems or dividing tasks differently. It begins with understanding which pattern you tend toward, exploring the deeper stories behind your reactions, and learning to talk about the feelings themselves rather than arguing about surface issues. When partners can vulnerably share "When this happens, I notice I start feeling alone like I did growing up" instead of launching into criticism or defensiveness, everything changes.This episode offers a four-step process to transform these painful cycles into opportunities for deeper connection. You'll learn to recognize your pattern, understand its origins, communicate vulnerably about the feelings, and establish regular check-ins to prevent buildup.Ready to turn relationship regression into progression? Listen now, and discover how the very wounds causing disconnection can become your pathway to profound intimacy.

Discover the complexities of navigating ADHD in relationships with insightful guidance. The hosts tackle tough questions about communication and support when one partner is hesitant to seek help. Learn how to address behaviors without triggering shame, and explore the significance of empathy in parenting discussions. They introduce a five-step process to foster understanding and proactive support, encouraging couples to replace criticism with curiosity. Dive into practical strategies for transforming your conversations about ADHD and strengthening your bond.

Got a question, comment, or just want to drop some encouragement? Send us a text.The complexity of ADHD can transform a loving partnership into a battlefield of misunderstanding, shame, and resentment—especially when children enter the picture. After receiving an overwhelming response to a social media post about ADHD in relationships, we knew we needed to address this increasingly common challenge faced by parenting partners.In this first episode of our two-part series, we explore four specific scenarios where ADHD creates conflict between parenting partners: when the default parent has ADHD, when the non-default parent has ADHD, when both partners have ADHD, and when parenting a child with ADHD. Drawing from professional expertise and personal experience, Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP dive into how ADHD affects parenting partner relationships and leads to disconnection and conflict. Stephen and Erin unpack the neurological reality of ADHD as more than just a willpower issue, examining how dopamine processing affects everything from organization to emotional regulation. Most importantly, we reveal how deeply-rooted shame narratives can drive defensive reactions when partners express frustration, creating cycles of conflict that feel impossible to break.Whether you suspect ADHD plays a role in your relationship challenges or you're already navigating this reality, this episode offers validation, clarity, and hope. Join us next week when we'll share specific processes for resolving these conflicts and building stronger connections despite—and sometimes because of—your neurodivergent partnership.Resources mentioned in show: ADHD 2.0 book link: https://a.co/d/hBLUekw@alex_partridge_100

Explore the complex world of parenting differences through the story of a couple grappling with bedtime battles. Uncover how contrasting beliefs about discipline and understanding can lead to conflict. Delve into the neuroscience behind emotional attunement and the impact of personal backgrounds on parenting choices. The discussion emphasizes the importance of empathy, intentionality, and open communication as tools for bridging the gap and fostering a supportive environment for children.

Got a question, comment, or just want to drop some encouragement? Send us a text.Life as a parent can often feel like a flood of responsibilities, expectations, and emotional exhaustion. In this episode, Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP, address the cycle of invalidation that can arise between partners as they try to juggle tasks and manage parenting stress. Through the story of Raj and Brynn, we explore how feelings of being overworked and underappreciated can lead to mutual invalidation in relationships. Join us in uncovering the steps necessary to shift out of a cycle of invalidation into a pattern of offering vulnerability and validation. Tune in for meaningful insights and real world scripts that can help you strengthen your couple relationship as you parent.

Got a question, comment, or just want to drop some encouragement? Send us a text.This episode dives into the dynamics of emotional regulation between partners in stressful parenting moments, highlighting the contrasting coping behaviors of downshifting and upshifting. Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP provide practical insights using a relatable case study, illustrating how couples can navigate these tensions and foster meaningful communication to create a supportive family environment.• Explaining the downshift-upshift coping dynamic in relationships • Analyzing a common conflict scenario in parenting • Discussing the role of everyday stressors on couple dynamics • Introducing the concept of co-regulation between partners • Offering actionable strategies for improving communication during stress 

Got a question, comment, or just want to drop some encouragement? Send us a text.In this episode, we explore the pervasive issue of resentment in couple relationships, particularly among parents. We discuss its roots in unexpressed emotions and decision-making conflicts, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, active listening, and mutual understanding to resolve underlying issues and prevent resentment from taking hold. Here is what we cover in the show: • Resentment often arises from feelings of being undervalued or unheard • Parenting pressures can exacerbate feelings of resentment • Major life decisions often become breeding grounds for resentment • Vulnerability and transparency are essential for healthy conversations • Mutual understanding plays a key role in decision-making dynamics • Listening without defensiveness fosters connection and heals rifts • Conflict can be an opportunity for growth and intimacy • Practical insights for managing resentment in relationships offered 

Got a question, comment, or just want to drop some encouragement? Send us a text.Ever wonder how parenting impacts your intimate relationship? Join us for a compelling conversation with renowned sex expert Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons as she shares insights from her latest book, "Good Sex." She dives into the challenges of maintaining a healthy sexual relationship amidst the responsibilities of parenthood. Dr. Hargons, an associate professor at Emory University, offers a compassionate perspective on navigating the changing dynamics of intimacy. She emphasizes the importance of communication and renegotiating relationship terms as couples journey through different stages of parenting.

Got a question, comment, or just want to drop some encouragement? Send us a text.This episode addresses the often invisible burden carried by default caregivers like Tasha, who find themselves overwhelmed by both family and partner expectations. Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP, delve into the mismatched needs that arise from these dynamics, frequently leading to misunderstandings and conflict. Through thoughtful discussion, we focus on the critical role of open communication and self-awareness in breaking free from outdated norms that perpetuate inequality. By examining how Tasha's partner, Paul, may inadvertently contribute to this imbalance, we highlight the need for intentionality and shared responsibility within family units.