Becoming parents while staying a couple: A workshop for expecting couples

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 23-26)This project offers a workshop that is designed as a prevention program intended for use by Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Social Workers who work with expecting couples. The program aims to prepare couples as they expect their first child, for the challenges their relationship may undergo after the delivery of their baby. The curriculum consists of six 2-hour meetings, which topics include the most frequently reported difficulties couples go through as they transition into parenthood. The goal of this project is to prevent or minimize the decrease in marital conflict and dissatisfaction that often occurs after the delivery of the first child. The curriculum aims to educate pmticipants about the challenges their relationship might face after their child is born, normalize the changes first-time parents experience, and provide emotional support during this life-changing event. Fmthermore, the program aims to teach and enable participants to practice various tools and techniques - such as, healthy conflict resolution skills, communication skills, and self-assertion - in order to lessen the strain couples' relationships might suffer