This episode explores how the postpartum period reshapes both the individual and the couple, especially when one partner has given birth and the other has not. Melanie and Kevin are joined by Haley Yatros and Krystal LaCoy to talk about identity shifts, relationship strain, and why postpartum often lasts much longer than people expect. We discuss the emotional and relational realities that can show up after a baby arrives, from sleep deprivation and hormone changes to resentment, attachment shifts, anxiety, and the pressure to “bounce back.” The conversation centers on normalizing how different this stage can look for every couple and why support matters for both partners.

Episode Chapters

08:06 - Rapid fire: “Nobody warned me that postpartum would blank”

10:09 - How parenthood changes both partners in different ways

17:32 - How postpartum changes the identity of the couple itself

27:15 - Mental health concerns can emerge or intensify during pregnancy and postpartum

32:02 - Preparing for mental health struggles during pregnancy

43:14 - Don’t wait if postpartum does not feel right - support and treatment

Recommended Resources

• And Baby Makes Three (John Gottman PhD. & Julie Schwartz Gottman PhD.)
• Gottman Card Deck

Note: Books mentioned in this episode contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Purchases made through these links support the podcast and independent bookstores!

Learn more about us at www.restoretherapycollective.com

Follow us on Instagram: @restoretherapycollective

Connect with the Hosts

• Melanie Freeland - Website | Psychology Today
• Kevin Dykstra - Website | Psychology Today
• Hailey Yatros - Website | Psychology Today
• Krystal Lacoy - Website | Psychology Today

Restoring Us is a space to slow down, take a breath, and explore topics related to mental health, therapy, and self-care. In each episode, therapists with Restore Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explore ways to restore yourself and your relationships. Whether you're navigating a tough chapter, looking to understand how you function in the world, or just need a reminder that you're not alone - you are welcome here.

Please follow us here as well as on our Instagram @restoretherapycollective. You can find out more about our practice at www.restoretherapycollective.com.

Music Attribution: 2.22.2026 - 3 guitars, uplifting buildup by RhysTemple54 -- https://freesound.org/s/846011/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

In this episode Melanie and Kevin discuss what real dialogue looks like in relationships. They unpack why many couples and families think they are communicating when they are actually talking past each other, and they offer practical ways to slow down, listen, and stay regulated. Melanie and Kevin focus on two main ideas: avoiding parallel monologue and practicing an I-thou approach to the other person. They also share concrete tools for hard conversations, including structured pauses, checking timing, and even taking notes when needed.

Episode Chapters

05:25 - Parallel monologue: two speakers, no real listener

08:13 - The role of listening as an active practice

17:19 - Family modeling and how communication patterns are learned

22:18 - Introducing the I-thou and I-it framework

26:30 - Dialogue as a skill for seeing another person’s perspective

34:03 - Suggested tools: pauses, notes, and curiosity

Recommended Resources

• Imago Dialogue
• Getting the Love you want (Harville Hendrix PhD. & Helen LaKelly Hunt PhD.)
• How to talk to anyone about anything: The Practice of Safe Conversations (Harville Hendrix PhD. & Helen LaKelly Hunt PhD.)
• I and Thou (Martin Buber)

Note: Books mentioned in this episode contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Purchases made through these links support the podcast and independent bookstores!

Learn more about us at www.restoretherapycollective.com

Follow us on Instagram: @restoretherapycollective

Connect with the Hosts

• Melanie Freeland - Website | Psychology Today
• Kevin Dykstra - Website | Psychology Today

Restoring Us is a space to slow down, take a breath, and explore topics related to mental health, therapy, and self-care. In each episode, therapists with Restore Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explore ways to restore yourself and your relationships. Whether you're navigating a tough chapter, looking to understand how you function in the world, or just need a reminder that you're not alone - you are welcome here.

Please follow us here as well as on our Instagram @restoretherapycollective. You can find out more about our practice at www.restoretherapycollective.com.

Music Attribution: 2.22.2026 - 3 guitars, uplifting buildup by RhysTemple54 -- https://freesound.org/s/846011/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Melanie and Kevin are joined by first-time guest, Restore therapist, Hailey Yatros, for a practical conversation about what actually makes relationships healthy. Hailey breaks down four pillars that show up again and again in couples work: communication, conflict resolution, relationship patterns, and intimacy; plus a useful framework for understanding repair, safety, and vulnerability.

Episode Chapters

11:38 - Naming the four pillars: communication, conflict resolution, patterns, and intimacy

19:55 - Why healthy conflict matters and why “we never fight” is not always a good sign

23:16 - Repair as a skill: what it is and why it matters for families too

30:58 - Relationship patterns as recurring cycles, not isolated arguments

44:21 - A simple self-check for each pillar: what is strong, and what needs attention?

Recommended Resources

• Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence (Esther Perel)
• Blog-The 4 Pillars of a Healthy Relationship (Hailey Yatros)

Note: Books mentioned in this episode contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Purchases made through these links support the podcast and independent bookstores!

Learn more about us at www.restoretherapycollective.com

Follow us on Instagram: @restoretherapycollective

Connect with the Hosts

• Melanie Freeland - Website | Psychology Today
• Kevin Dykstra - Website | Psychology Today
• Hailey Yatros - Website | Psychology Today

Restoring Us is a space to slow down, take a breath, and explore topics related to mental health, therapy, and self-care. In each episode, therapists with Restore Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explore ways to restore yourself and your relationships. Whether you're navigating a tough chapter, looking to understand how you function in the world, or just need a reminder that you're not alone - you are welcome here.

Please follow us here as well as on our Instagram @restoretherapycollective. You can find out more about our practice at www.restoretherapycollective.com.

Music Attribution: 2.22.2026 - 3 guitars, uplifting buildup by RhysTemple54 -- https://freesound.org/s/846011/ -- License: Creative Commons 0