Dads of Marlborough Group established

By Chris Valli

Joni Morrissey’s goal is to support Marlborough Dads as they transition into fatherhood, something she believes that is not outwardly spoken about.

Dads of Marlborough Post Natal Group is a forum for Dads to get together and discuss all things fatherhood. The group has been created with the help of Connect Marlborough.

Joni who is the facilitator and creator of the program is an internationally certified therapist specialising in intimacy and relationship counselling.

She says she is incredibly passionate about helping families stay together and helping individuals find connections to themselves in a gentle trusting manner.

“I have studied mainly in the UK and America in sex therapy and couples therapy, my counselling training was done here in New Zealand,” she says. “My work as an intimacy therapist has led me to work a lot with men, I find this work incredibly rewarding. My main aim for this group is to support our Dads as they transition into fatherhood.”

Joni says she hopes to cover many different aspects such as the emotional strains that come with going down to one income if Dads and their partner decide that one should stay at home.

“The realities of baby blues, hormones, and sleepless nights that all new parents go through just to mention a few. We don’t have an existing group like this in Marlborough and I believe it will make a huge difference to the health and well-being of both parents if both are feeling supported through the postnatal process.”

So how can ‘we’ get men to speak about their well-being?

“Men don’t tend to talk about their mental well-being and can be slow to get help. It might seem like society expects them to handle the problem alone or ‘harden up’ and get over it. Feeling shaky or vulnerable may not be easy for them to admit. Asking for help and support might be perceived as a weakness by them,” says Joni.

“Being ‘tough’ can be stressful for them, as well as their family and friends. My hope is that if they think they may need some support, they will feel comfortable reaching out if others are. It’s also vital to have their families and friends support their decision to seek help. I hope to create that safety within this group. As a society, I feel men struggle to articulate their needs so in turn as a therapist I hope to create change in this area.”

Joni adds that this group is also for separated Dads and Dads in same-sex relationships.

“All are welcome,” she says.

Dads of Marlborough Post Natal Group runs for the next six weeks every Thursday starting tomorrow, January 26, 6:30pm, 8 Beaver Road, Connect Marlborough.