BECOMING  A  FATHER A Learning and Support Group for New Fathers and Fathers-to-Be
Derek Trlica and his wife just had their first child in the fall of 2007. Although he loves being a dad, he felt a lot of anxiety before his daughter was born. Worries about things like the baby’s health, the upcoming labor & birth, what the future holds, finances, and personal identity all seemed to take up most of his thoughts during those 9 months.   When he tried to seek out some support for the emotional roller coaster ride he was on, he found there wasn’t much out there for soon-to-be dads. It seemed that most of the resources to address the anxieties of becoming a parent were geared towards women and motherhood. This was great for his wife of course, but it left him wanting more. What he wanted was a place where he could go talk about his own experience.
And that’s what this group is for – for men who are on the verge of a major life transition and who are having thoughts, reactions, and feelings about it. It’s a place where you can come and hang out with others who are on the verge of the same transition and who may be having a similar experience. Sharing your story and knowing that others really get what you’re going through is a powerful reminder that you are not alone. Through this, and through sharing ideas and insights, maybe you’ll be able to make some sense out of this bewildering experience of becoming a father.
About the Instructor:   Derek Trlica is a psychotherapist living & working in Seattle. He is the proud papa of a baby girl named Lila. Derek loves being a dad, even though he is only now starting to figure out what that really means.
NOTE:  This is a drop-in group, which meets the first and third Wednesday evening of each month from 5:30-7:00pm.  No pre-registration is required.  A $10 donation is appreciated.   Check the calendar for the next date this group is scheduled.