Pre-Parenthood Sessions to Build a Strong Family
By Sarah Tatz, Kindred Roots Intern Therapist
The journey to parenthood is often described as one of the most anticipated milestones in life, filled with excitement and love. However, alongside the joy, this transition can also be a time of significant stress and challenge. This time of transition can be one of the best times to lean into support and strengthen your connection as a couple.
Why Relationship Support Matters
Expecting parents are in a unique place, they’re open to learning, growth, and change. That makes this the perfect moment to invest in your relationship.
Research shows that couples who take part in pre-parenthood counselling experience:
a smaller decline in relationship satisfaction
greater resilience to stress
stronger communication and teamwork
smoother adjustment to new roles and responsibilities
increased sense of confidence and self-efficacy in becoming parents
reduced parenting-related conflict and resentment
Even a decade later, couples who focus on their bond early on report stronger relationships, higher life satisfaction, and a more connected family life. Simply put: when couples prepare together, the whole family thrives.
Protecting Parental Mental Health
Pregnancy and early parenthood bring a wide range of emotions; joy and anticipation mixed with exhaustion, worry, and identity shifts. That’s why the quality of your relationship during this time matters so much.
When partners feel supported and connected, both experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum. It’s not just about “getting along”, it’s about feeling emotionally safe, seen, and supported while navigating big change.
For Mothers
A nurturing, communicative relationship lowers the risk of postpartum depression, which affects about 1 in 7 new mothers. When partners share responsibilities and emotional load, mothers report less overwhelm and isolation, two key risk factors for mood challenges.
For Fathers & Non-Gestational Partners
Roughly 1 in 10 non-gestational partners experience postpartum depression, and many more face anxiety or burnout. Positive daily interactions such as showing appreciation, expressing needs calmly, and sharing coping strategies can reduce these risks. Partners who feel emotionally connected to their pregnant partners are also more likely to bond confidently with their babies and stay engaged in caregiving.
How Therapy Helps
Pre-parenthood sessions offer a safe, guided space to talk about fears, expectations, and stress before they escalate. Studies show that couples who participate in relationship-based programs experience:
fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms
stronger relationship and life satisfaction
better communication and problem-solving
more energy and focus in daily life
When couples learn to manage stress together, they build resilience that lasts from sleepless newborn nights to school years and beyond.
The Emotional Ripple Effect
Strong relationships don’t just benefit parents, they shape a child’s world. Babies are deeply sensitive to the emotional climate of their home. When parents feel stable and connected, babies receive calmer, more consistent care, supporting healthy emotional and neurological development.
Research shows that children whose parents strengthen their relationship early on display fewer emotional and behavioural challenges and stronger academic and social outcomes years later. When parents prioritize their connection, their children thrive.
What We Explore in Sessions
Pre-parenthood counselling gives couples practical tools to stay connected and navigate change with care. Topics include:
Communication skills: Expressing needs, managing conflict, and listening to understand.
Shared values & expectations: Setting goals for parenting, intimacy, and growth.
Division of labour: Creating a fair, realistic plan for household and caregiving tasks.
Emotional awareness: Understanding triggers, stress responses, and each other’s inner world.
Intimacy & connection: Staying close and supportive through fatigue and adjustment.
Support systems: Building healthy boundaries and leaning on extended family or community resources.
The Takeaway
Parenthood brings new challenges, but it’s also a time of incredible growth. Couples who prepare together strengthen communication, build teamwork, and create emotionally safe homes where children can thrive.
Pre-parenthood sessions offer a dedicated space to navigate change with care, curiosity, and compassion. Becoming a parent is such a unique moment in life, and I am deeply passionate about supporting individuals and couples during this transition. I feel honoured to be part of their journey, helping partners step into this next chapter feeling connected, confident, and ready to grow together.
Interested in Pre-Parenthood CounselLing?
If you’d like to learn more or book a session, reach out to the team at Kindred Roots Therapy to connect with Intern Therapist Sarah Tatz. Until the end of 2025, Sarah is offering FREE pre-parenthood sessions as part of her internship. Together, you can work toward build a foundation for a strong partnership and a thriving family.