Non-Binary Parents
We Understand That Your Journey to Parenthood Looks and Feels Different Than Cisgender Folk
Are You a Non-Binary Pregnant Person or Parent?
THERE ARE ADDITIONAL STRESSFUL FACTORS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION
The journey to parenthood looks and feels very different for genderqueer folk. We understand that there is a heteronormative assumption that dominates the childbearing arenas. Not all pregnant people relate to the terms: mother and/or father. The typical stress that cisgender pregnant people experience is compounded with additional stressors for LGBTQIA+ people such as: What route for conception will you choose? Will you be eligible for IVF? Will you be working with a surrogate parent? Will you be discriminated against? Will you be misgendered? Will you chest feed? In other words, where do you belong within the landscape of childrearing and will you be emotionally, psychologically, and physically safe? These questions are real concerns and can increase your risk of postpartum mood struggles.
Your journey of becoming a parent
Your Birth Matters
Prepare mentally for your upcoming birth
Feel Seen and Validated
Learn skills to communicate your unique needs
Claim Your Role
Navigate presenting identity challenges
Our Approach to Therapy
NERVOUS SYSTEM INFORMED THERAPY IS INCLUSIVE AND HUMANISTIC
As humans, we all have a nervous system. The nervous system tells the story about self, the world, and relationships. Humans have a biological need for connection and a drive to survive. The additional stressors presented throughout the childbearing continuum impacts the nervous system. Trauma traps an individual in states of dysregulation compromising the longing for connection with a drive for protection. Remaining frozen in states of protection negatively impacts the mind and heart resulting in a sense of disconnection from others and the world at large.
When people experience discrimination, othering, or dehumanizing behaviour the nervous system reacts to this as a life-threat. The additional challenges that many LGBTQIA+ people face throughout the childbearing continuum such as: micro aggressions, judgements, racism, homophobia, transphobia, and systemic oppression can result in the entire event being experienced as traumatic. We want to help mitigate this from happening. Although no one can control how others behave, we believe that learning skills to regulate the nervous system for childrearing can help to mitigate any risk of trauma. Whether you are coming to therapy pre-conception, during pregnancy, or postpartum, we are here to support you.
Additional Resources
WEBSITES
*Please send an email to jennifer@asktherapies.com with additional resources you like to see added to this list.