Prepared for Parenthood

Interview with Dan Riggan: Healthy Communication & Conflict in Couples

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Keywords

interpersonal communication, couples therapy, intimacy, new parents, conflict resolution, relationship advice, parenting challenges,

emotional connection, healthy relationships, communication skills, communication, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, reflective listening, parenting, couple therapy, mental health, self-awareness, connection

Summary

In part one of the first episode of season two, Dr. Stephanie Dueger and her husband, Dan Riggan, discuss the importance of healthy

interpersonal communication in relationships, especially for new parents. They explore the challenges couples face in maintaining intimacy and connection after having children, the normalization of conflict in relationships, and the significance of expressing needs and appreciation for one another. Dan shares
insights from his experience working with couples as a Licensed Professional Counselor,
emphasizing that communication, intimacy, and mutual understanding are vital for nurturing a healthy relationship. Together, they explore essential practices for maintaining healthy relationships, focusing on communication.

Takeaways

  • Healthy communication and intimacy are both essential for couples to feel connected; creating space and time for both is critical.
    • Disconnection is normal, but minimizing the time of feeling disconnected is a positive goal.
      • New parents often struggle to reconnect after having a baby because so many changes have occurred.
        • Conflict is a natural part of relationships and can build intimacy, while avoiding conflict can lead to greater relationship issues.
          • Expressing true needs and regular appreciations for each other helps strengthen the couple relationship.

            • Guest Contact

            Dan Riggan, MA, LPC: [email protected]

            Website: danriggan.com


            Host Contact

            Dr. Stephanie Dueger: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

            Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://preparedforparenthood.com⁠⁠⁠

            ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/preparedforparenthood/⁠⁠⁠

            ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/people/Prepared-for-Parenthood/100075999845994/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

            YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7RHCyYa-ChfUN4xd6llDfQ⁠⁠⁠

            ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Dr. Dueger's Book on Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Preparing for Parenthood: 55 Essential Conversations for Couples Becoming Families ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

            Get Dr. Dueger's Book on Bookshop.org: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Preparing for Parenthood: 55 Essential Conversations for Couples Becoming Families⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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            Prepared for ParenthoodBy Dr. Stephanie Dueger