Connection, Conflict and Co-Parenting: Supporting Couples Through the Challenges of Contemporary Parenting

Parenthood, at any stage, is one of the most significant challenges couples will face, and one of the most common reason couples come for therapy. Contemporary parenting movements emphasise emotional attunement and responsiveness to children and while these approaches offer enormous benefits, they can also introduce complexity for the couple relationship. Many partners find themselves navigating exhaustion, resentment, identity shifts and a loss of intimacy, alongside differences in parenting values and expectations. Couples may struggle to find space for their relationship while adjusting to the demands and responsibilities of raising children. 

This presentation explores how therapists can support couples who are parents. Alongside understanding the pressures parenting can place on relationships, the seminar introduces a practical parenting framework that helps partners clarify, communicate and align their parenting, supporting collaboration rather than conflict. 

Drawing from attachment parenting models (like Tuning into kids/Teens and circle of security & S.T.E.P) the seminar offers perspectives and interventions that help couples strengthen both their parenting partnership and their relationship. The seminar will also include opportunities for group reflection and discussion, allowing participants to share experiences and approaches that support couples navigating parenting and family life.

This presentation will benefit you in: 

• – Understanding the relational impact of parenting on intimacy, identity and emotional connection

• – Recognising common couple dynamics that emerge during early parenting and family life

• – Learning a parenting framework that supports couples to clarify and communicate their parenting values

• – Supporting partners to collaborate rather than polarise around parenting differences

• – Helping couples maintain connection while navigating the demands of raising children

• – Strengthening the co-parenting relationship while also supporting the couple bond

Date:                   Thursday 4^th June

Time:                   5:30pm-8:00pm AEST (Melbourne/Sydney)

Cost:                    GANZ Student Members: $15. GANZ Members: $55. Non-GANZ Members: $95.

About your Presenter:  

Sean Tonnet (MGest) has been working as a full-time clinical psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and international facilitator for the past 20 years. His reputed and respected practice reflects his comprehensive training and clinical excellence in therapy and facilitation. Specialising in relationships, Sean has over 18,000 case hours working with couples and families as a Gestalt Therapist. Sean is a passionate father and has worked with a number of parenting initiatives including the Heart to Heart Parenting Program, the not-for-profit organisation Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond, and as a facilitator for fatherhood programs with Interrelate. His work has been reviewed in radio, television and in print, and he is a highly sought-after therapist and facilitator across Australia.

Purchase your ticket here.