Psychologist Dr. Rob Straus and doula and childbirth educator Diana Peterson have developed two 2½-hour classes to prepare parents to anticipate changes and stresses following the birth of their child and provide skills to support their relationship. This is a preventive intervention based on recent research and designed to support new parents and protect their relationships during the transition to parenthood.
The teaching method is interactive and includes lecture, slides, video, discussion, and lots of exercises. Nearly half the class time is in-class exercises practicing skills which parents then can use at home. The first class focuses on strengthening the couples connection; the second class continues to help parents identify warning signs of difficulty and learn methods of managing conflict. Handouts contain the exercises and resources for future use.
The class is based on the best available materials and research in the field, including the work of Phil and Carolyn Cowan, John and Julie Gottman, and Howard J. Markman and Scott Stanley[1].
Classes are now available in the Los Angeles and Boston areas: