In the Denver area, families expecting a child or going through the postpartum period have access to various types of support. Many of these resources include support groups led by experienced doulas and lactation consultants. Our support groups are led by Lies van Bekkum, PsyD, who specializes in perinatal mental health and serves as the Perinatal Coordinator at the Catalyst Center. In addition to offering individual and couples therapy, she also facilitates the Pregnancy and Postpartum Therapy Group and a Parenting with Littles Group.
What is Different About Your Group?
What differentiates our group from others is that ours is a therapeutic group. Not only do you get the benefit of group support, but you also have access to a highly trained, specialized therapist. Our therapy group is open to expectant and new moms (it doesn’t matter if this is your first or 6th baby). It can be hard to find perinatal group support focused on mental health and well-being that allows you to transition from pregnancy to postpartum. We find it beneficial for our clients to be connected with support when the baby arrives. Our Parenting with Littles Group allows moms to transition from the postpartum period into another therapeutic group that supports moms with littles up to age 10. Both groups meet virtually. Many of our new moms have found it so helpful to receive the support they need from the comfort of their own homes or while juggling work.
What are Common Topics that come up in the Groups?
Pregnancy topics include:
- Difficult relationships with family or support network
- Struggles with intimacy and changes to the body
- Communication issues with a partner
- Challenges during pregnancy with anxiety and mood
- Anxiety about birth – Fears about postpartum
- Fear of loss and miscarriage
- Infertility struggles
- Not feeling excited or connected to the pregnancy
Postpartum topics include:
- Challenges of the fourth trimester
- Struggles with the support network
- Communication and changes in relationships
- Changes to identity and adjustment to life with the baby
- Difficult recovery and traumatic birth
- Postpartum Depression/Anxiety/Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Issues around feeding the baby and sleep deprivation
- Challenges with returning to work
- Bonding with the baby
- Struggles with dynamics with an older sibling
Parenting with Littles Topics:
- Developing your parenting philosophy
- Addressing sleep-related issues
- Understanding behavior and effective boundary-setting
- Developing emotion coaching skills
- Building strong attachment through attunement
- Building resilience and coping skills
- Fostering strong sibling bonds
- Nurturing a strong co-parenting relationship
- Understanding and managing parenting-related anxiety and stress
- Anticipating and supporting upcoming changes for our children
- Exploring societal and familial influences on our experiences as parents
What are the Benefits of Group Therapy?
During the perinatal period and early parenthood, individual therapy can be helpful, but it can also be costly and difficult to schedule. That’s why we created our group to be drop-in and donation-based. We want everyone to be able to attend, regardless of their financial situation or scheduling conflicts. You can come to the group whenever it fits into your schedule. While attending regularly is most beneficial, having a place to connect with a therapist, feel supported, and receive guidance when needed is also important. Many of our group members already have their own individual therapists but find the group support helpful during this transition in their lives. Research shows that there are benefits to both individual and group support. All donations go to the Ardent Grove Foundation, our sister non-profit mental health clinic, which offers the community high-quality, low-cost therapy services.
Benefits of Group Therapy Include
- Hearing different perspectives and experiences from group members.
- Feeling validated by other group members struggling can help you feel less alone.
- Learn about other difficulties ahead of time, as other topics may be brought up that you are currently not struggling with but can now feel more prepared to handle.
- Being able to laugh and cry with a group can be more powerful as members simultaneously give and receive support.
- Learn more about yourself and your relationships and how to communicate. Group can be a safe practice space for clients to speak up and advocate for their needs.
Final Thoughts
Our Pregnancy and Postpartum Therapy Group provides a beautiful environment for individuals to receive the support they need while offering support to others. For more information, please call or text 720.675.7123 or fill out a contact form, and someone from our admin team will contact you within the next business day.
About the Author
Lies van Bekkum, PsyD, LCP
Dr. Lies van Bekkum is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Perinatal Coordinator at The Catalyst Center, and leads our New and Expectant Parent groups. She is a passionate advocate for new and expectant parents, devoting herself to supporting and empowering all mamas to know their worth, and heal from past trauma. She is warm, funny, and energetic.
Interested in Learning More?
If you are interested in connecting with support, our specialized team is here to help. You are not alone. Call 720-675-7123 or contact us below.
