When New Dads Struggle Too: How New Moms and Therapy Can Support Fathers in the Postpartum Journey
- matthewbramanlcsw
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
Here’s a blog post for new moms who want to encourage their husbands or partners to consider therapy with a perinatal mental health specialist for dads:
As a new mom, you’ve likely experienced firsthand how life shifts dramatically during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The sleepless nights, the constant demands, the emotional rollercoaster - none of it is easy. What often surprises many families is that new dads may struggle too, in ways that aren’t always visible or openly talked about.
If you’ve noticed your husband or partner withdrawing, feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or just seeming like he is not himself since becoming a dad, he may be dealing with postpartum depression, anxiety, or adjustment stress - yes, dads can experience postpartum mental health challenges too. And therapy can help.
At Verve Psychotherapy, we specialize in working with new dads, offering online therapy that supports fathers with stress management, social isolation, parenting challenges, and postpartum mental health in a space that validates their experiences and helps them cope.
Postpartum Mental Health Is a Family Matter - Not Just for New Moms
When we hear “postpartum depression,” most of us think of moms - and for good reason. But, emerging research shows that up to 1 in 10 new dads experience postpartum depression or anxiety, and even more struggle with adjustment stress in the first year of parenting.
What can this look like in dads?
Withdrawal or emotional shutdown
Increased irritability or anger
Trouble bonding with the baby
Avoidance of home or baby care responsibilities
Heightened stress about finances or providing
Sleep disruptions and fatigue
Feelings of failure or helplessness
These aren’t just “normal dad struggles” - or "the baby blues", by which many moms' postpartum mental health symptoms are often described, minimized, or invalidated - they can be signs of paternal postpartum depression (PPD) or perinatal anxiety, and they deserve real support.
Why Do Dads Hesitate to Seek Help?
Many men are raised to believe they need to “tough it out,” push and power through stress, or avoid showing any sense of vulnerability. This can make it hard for new dads to ask for help, even when they’re clearly struggling.
As a partner, it can be hard to know what to say or do. You might be feeling frustrated, worried, or at a loss yourself. Here’s the good news: therapy can be a turning point, not just for your partner’s well-being but for your whole family’s emotional and relational health.
Why New Dads Seek Therapy (and How It Helps)
New dads turn to therapy for many reasons, including:
Managing postpartum depression or anxiety
Reducing stress and burnout from work and parenting
Improving their relationship with their partner during the postpartum transition
Coping with social isolation and disconnection from friends or support systems
Learning parenting skills and understanding their baby’s needs
Processing identity changes and adjusting to fatherhood
Therapy offers dads a confidential, supportive space to talk more freely about what they’re going through without judgment. With a therapist who understands men's issues and paternal perinatal mental health, dads can begin to feel heard, empowered, and more connected.
At Verve Psychotherapy, we offer specialized support for new dads, backed by advanced training in postpartum mental health and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).
What Dads Can Expect from Working with a Male Therapist
One question we often hear from moms is: “What will therapy be like for my husband?” At Verve Psychotherapy, dads work with a male therapist who is a certified perinatal mental health specialist that understands the emotional, practical, and relational challenges of fatherhood.
Here’s what they can expect:
A down-to-earth, supportive conversation, not a clinical interrogation
Guided stress management and stress-reduction tools that fit into real life
A focus on their identities as a father, a husband or a partner, and an individual
A chance to process their experiences openly, without shame, blame, or pressure
Support for building connection with their baby and strengthening their relationship with you - because we know how much you need their support as you both become parents
Therapy isn’t about “fixing” someone - it’s about giving them the tools and support to show up in life with more clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
Therapy Is an Act of Strength, Not Weakness
Encouraging your partner to consider therapy can feel scary, but it can also be an incredibly loving and supportive step. Letting him know that you see him, that his mental health matters, and that support is available could be the nudge he needs to prioritize himself in this season.
Therapy is not just for times of acute crisis - it’s for building a foundation of emotional health that benefits everyone: you, your partner, and your child.
A Message to New Moms: Your Support Matters Too
Being a new mom is already a full-time emotional and relational job, and trying to support a struggling partner can feel overwhelming. If you’re concerned, you deserve support too - individually, as a couple, or as a family.
At Verve Psychotherapy, we offer individual therapy for dads and postpartum couples therapy to support your relationship during the transition into parenthood.
Ready to Explore Support for Your Partner?
If your husband or partner is struggling, then please let them know - you're not alone. At Verve Psychotherapy, we specialize in online therapy for dads in Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, making it easier for dads to access expert care from the comfort of home, a private office, or a parked car. Heck, you can even care for the baby while we're in session!
Encourage your partner to take the first step - or reach out together to learn more.
Contact Verve Psychotherapy today to explore how we can support your family’s well-being in the postpartum period and beyond.
Your family’s mental health matters - and supporting dads supports everyone.
As your Right Hand Therapy Man, it's my mission to empower your verve.
Let's talk. Book a free 15 minute phone consultation here.
Ready to get started? Book an intake appointment here.
