Finding a place for the baby: complexity and congestion in the transition to parenthood

Abstract

This paper describes the setting up and the work of the first year of a therapeutic service for teenage parents who are expecting their first baby and embarked on the transition to parenthood. The importance of early intervention to support parents to develop their capacity to be sensitive and attuned to their babies and the importance of supporting the relationships around the new parent is emphasised. The paper describes three broad groups of referrals and the complexity of engaging teenage parents in therapeutic work.

Keywords:

• adolescence
• teenage parents
• transition to parenthood
• deprivation
• early intervention
• couple conflict
• domestic violence
• safeguarding

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my thanks to the members of the team, Rob Senior, Susan Sayder, Judit Germuska and Priya Vigneswaren, for their support and encouragement.