Parenting Stress and Overwhelm

While there’s no one size fits all “Momerapy” (that we know of!) we integrate different approaches to connect, identify what would be helpful for you, and set your goals. A big piece of therapy is creating a supportive relationship and connection. On that foundation we build using reflection, skills, and evidenced based counseling approaches. Some different approaches we pull in include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). These approaches help to recognize patterns that leave us feel stuck and then create new patterns to get unstuck.

This is a tricky one and the answer is sometimes. Ideally, the counseling space is a space that is uniquely yours. As Moms, we protect our children from things that are scary. And sometimes we need to talk about scary things with our therapist. It might be beneficial to talk about the hard parts of motherhood and parenting with our counselor and what does that look like when our child is in the room? What does it look like to move forward in caring for our own needs when our child is needing us in that very moment? However, we get it. Sometimes life happens…Our childcare falls through, no one is available to watch them, they are too young to leave in someone else’s care. Some things to consider:

• Telehealth counseling is available. Can you fit in a video session during nap time? Can you set the kids up with a movie so that you can take some time to meet with your counselor in the bedroom privately to speak freely?

We understand life happens and sometimes some connection is better than nothing at all. If you must bring your child with you, we have toys available in the office that are available as distractions while you talk. These sessions might look different, with different topics covered than in sessions where you are able to meet alone. If childcare for appointments is a challenge, RAFT therapists are open to that conversation. Your counselor can help figure out what that looks like so that your mental health is also supported.

We offer telehealth video sessions for all clients physically in Colorado. Would it be possible to fit in a session during nap time? Are kids in school and we can plan to meet in the Parker office after you drop them off? There are options if you feel like the consequences of not doing this for yourself might be greater than finding a time that works. We don’t need our schedule together to be a beautiful once per week session at the same day and time. There is flexibility and other options. Your counselor is open to this conversation and can help you figure out what this looks like.

Yes! We very confidently include all of the following on the list.

• Nervousness

• Restlessness

• Feeling Tense

• Heightened Sense of Danger

• Sense of Dread

• Rapdid breathing

• Difficulty focusing or thinking clearly

• Focus on certain ideas or things

• Anxiety

• Sadness

• Tearfulness

• Hopelessness

• Irritability

• Loss of interest and enjoyment in activities

• Memory Loss

• Trouble sleeping

• Changes in appetite

• Worthlessness

• Not feeling anything at all

• Making decisions is difficult

• Difficulty focusing

But you don’t have to feel this way all the time. While completely “normal”, we are also confident RAFT counselors can offer support and strategies so that you start feeling better. Supporting your mental health will positively impact not only you but your children and family as well.