Los Angeles Life Transitions Clinical Psychologist Francine Lederer Offers New Workshops to Help Parents Cope with New Babies

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Bringing a new baby home can bring new joy – and unforeseen problems – into a relationship.

Dr. Francine Lederer, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles and founder of L.A. Talk Therapy is starting groups for moms and couples who are dealing with transitions in their lives as individuals, couples and new parents as they bring home a newborn baby.

"Making the transition from couple to family is huge. Couples often report the biggest dip in their marriages during the early child-rearing years. We will help you learn to become better equipped to balance parenthood and marriage, while bringing intimacy back to life," said Dr. Lederer who is one of only a few LA psychologists who is certified as a Bringing Baby Home John Gottman educator.

"Becoming pregnant and taking on a new role as a parent is an enormous milestone in one's life. Whether you are thinking about having a baby, struggling to conceive or already pregnant you may be feeling anxious, depressed or stressed. We will help you sort out some of the mixed or uncertain feelings that exist when reconciling your inner child with that of taking on lifelong responsibilities as a parent. We specialize in pre and postpartum issues," said Dr. Lederer, is known by many as the Life Transitions Specialist ® and an expert on issues related to bringing a baby home.

As individuals evolve and change so do partnerships. Dr. Lederer helps couples understand each other in a non-judgmental and empathic environment where relationship growth is possible.

The group and individual sessions to help survive a newborn are held at her office, 10780 Santa Monica Blvd., #450, Los Angeles.

For information about the groups to help deal with unexpected situations with newborns, visit http://www.latalktherapy.com

Potential clients who live in California can schedule an office session or a free 30-minute phone appointment to flesh out ideas and see if therapy is a good course of action by calling 310-499-7040.

She also speaks about parenting issues and marriage issues to Los Angeles women's organizations, parenting groups, mother-daughter groups, health fairs, community agencies and churches and synagogues. To book Dr. Lederer to speak to a Los Angeles group, go to http://www.latalktherapy.com

If couples have issues and don't seek help, the family and the child could face dire consequences.

"If you are not going to talk through issues and be receptive to hearing each other, your marriage could end. Your child might not be as emotionally or socially confident. They might struggle with their own identity," she said.

To help ward off those potential problems, she offers these tips for bringing a baby home:

1. Couples need to support and listen to one another. It is very easy for couples to get stuck in assumptions about each other. They should not assume anything about each other, no matter how long they've known each other. Everyone processes information differently. You should always ask questions or let the other person know what you are feeling. Talk through your struggles. It's easy for resentment to build up. If we don't say anything, emotions will explode.

2. Realize there will be changes. That can include changes in sleep deprivation, who does different household chores, and other roles may shift.

3. Try to help each other by giving each other a break - even if it is for five minutes a day or an hour. Everyone needs a breather when you are taking care of a child.

About Francine Lederer, Psy.D.

Dr. Francine Lederer is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Life Transitions Specialist®. She is the founder and owner of L.A. Talk Therapy, providing individual, couples and group counseling all over Los Angeles County.

Dr. Lederer has been featured in articles as an expert on stress, work-life balance, parenting, pregnancy, aging, care giving, anxiety, depression, relationships and life transitions.

She is a regular guest on 870 AM radio "The Home Show" and blogs about human behavior and social issues.

Dr. Lederer has been in private practice since 2005. She has over a decade of experience working in the field of psychology. She received her Master's degree and Doctorate degree from California School of Professional Psychology and trained at respected sites such as UCLA, The Maple Counseling Center, Airport Marina Counseling Center and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Lederer also serves as a Clinical Supervisor to psychology doctoral students and post-doctoral candidates.

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