Your Relationship After a New Baby
A new baby can reorganize almost every part of the day. Sleep, work, household tasks and time together may all look different. Even when both partners care deeply, they may feel unseen in what they are carrying.
This page is about relationship support during that transition. Shoreline also offers perinatal and postpartum support with Misty when an individual parent wants space for their own experience.
Maybe this sounds familiar
01
You feel more like coworkers than partners.
02
Rest and responsibilities feel uneven.
03
You miss your old relationship rhythm.
04
You need both couple and individual support.
01 · Understand
Name the roles that changed
You may have had clear expectations before the baby arrived and discovered that daily life feels different. Conversations about feeding, work and rest can also carry questions about appreciation, fairness and identity.
Couples sessions can make room for the practical details and the feelings underneath them. You do not need to prove that one person has it harder. You can describe what support would look like and where you keep missing each other.
02 · Practice
Choose the support that fits the question
Some concerns belong primarily in the relationship conversation. Others may need individual perinatal support or another kind of care. The consultation is a chance to describe what you are looking for and ask which clinician or format may fit.
A video session still needs a workable setting and time to participate. Discuss childcare, privacy and interruptions with your therapist rather than assuming a session must look effortless. Plans can be practical without promising that this season will be easy.
03 · Choose Your Next Step
A practical fit conversation
Ongoing couples support is listed with Holly Whitmore, Emily Chen, Misty Goldenberg and Nicola Loretto. Their approaches differ, so you can ask how they work with your particular concern rather than choose by a method name alone.
A free 15 minute phone consultation can help clarify availability, session format and next steps. Describe the broad concern and any provider preference. Keep detailed personal or health information for the practice's approved clinical process.
A therapist who fits you
These clinicians offer the related service. Availability and the right approach for your situation are part of the consultation.
Holly Whitmore
MA, LMFT
Gottman couples therapy and IFS
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Emily Chen
AMFT
EFT, attachment and inner child work
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Misty Goldenberg
AMFT
EMDR, perinatal and couples work
View profile
Nicola Loretto
MA, AMFT
Grief, identity and Gottman couples work
View profile
Dina Abdelaal
AMFT
Trauma and PTSD, in English and Spanish
View profile
Aidé Merito
AMFT, APCC
Teens, identity and trauma, in English and Spanish
View profileFees in brief
We are in network with Aetna (PPO and EPO plans only), Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum and Blue Shield of California. Not every clinician is in network with every plan.
Seeing someone out of network? We provide superbills you can submit for reimbursement.
Rates and insuranceLicensed therapist
$180
per telehealth session
For adults, couples, children or families
Associate therapist
$150
per telehealth session
For adults, couples, children or families
Questions before you begin
Does every new parent need couples therapy?
No. This is one available form of support when the relationship is a concern. You can use a consultation to discuss whether it fits your goals and circumstances.
How do I ask about this service?
Tell the practice the broad kind of support you are seeking, your language preference and whether you have a clinician in mind. Fit, availability and any fee or insurance arrangement need to be confirmed before an appointment.
A small first step
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss provider fit, availability and the next step. Keep personal and health details out of an ordinary website inquiry. Ongoing sessions are offered by video within California.
Explore Couples TherapyKeep exploring
When You Keep Having the Same Fight
Explore recurring arguments, communication patterns and finding a couples therapist who fits your relationship.
When You Feel Like Roommates
You coordinate groceries, bills and calendars. You might work well as a team, yet miss feeling like partners.
Make room for a different conversation
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation. We'll help you consider provider fit and next steps.