FATHERHOOD RESOURCES

Fathers who believe they will be effective as parents are more likely to be engaged as parents.

NEW & EXPECTANT FATHERS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP

There are many workshops that cover the basics of baby care—diaper changes, feeding, swaddling, and sleep. This one is different. It focuses on the psychological transition into fatherhood, helping new and expecting fathers navigate this life change with strategies to support their well-being. Offered regularly— check the workshop page for more information.

These videos are based on scholarship within the field of counseling as well as my own personal experiences as a father and a counselor. This is not intended to be advice or a replacement for counseling— it’s just one data point for you to use on your transition into fatherhood.

Stepping into this experience can feel both isolating and like a call to something bigger. We each traverse it in our own unique ways— and finding our own path can bring an empowering sense of grounding as we become fathers.

Sometimes just reflecting more on fatherhood, or hearing others talk about it, can help us take new perspectives and feel less alone in this journey.

We are not alone in this— we are all reshaping and updating the story of fatherhood together.

EXPECTANT FATHER VIDEOS— TRIMESTERS

THE PATCHWORK FATHER

Learn more about the Patchwork Father

  • Fatherhood is a transformative experience. It reshapes our identities, our relationships, and how we think about ourselves in the world. It highlights our greatest strengths and challenges our most painful growing edges. 

    The Patchwork Father is about centering the experiences of fathers. It’s about engaging in the totality of our lives and how we show up as fathers.

  • The course is divided into four essential sections. Each section contains over two hours of short videos about specific topics, activities, and reflections.

    You can choose to engage with only one section or explore all four areas to embrace the larger and more holistic view of fatherhood.

  • So many of us know what we’re “supposed to” do to take care of ourselves — fatherhood is a time when we start to see that our wellbeing impacts how we show up with others. 

    If we are intentional about this work, the result is a deeper sense of self, expanded identity, and greater wellness into fatherhood. 

“…the end product of childraising is not the child, but the parent…

— Frank Pittman

Fatherhood Links…

The Fatherhood Project: Father resources through Harvard Medical and Mass General. This website is full of helpful videos, handouts, and concrete suggestions for fathers.

Dr. Bruce Linton’s Father Forum: Dr. Linton has written several books about fatherhood based on his decades of experience running workshops and groups for fathers. His website links to some of these resources and a number of videos about fatherhood.

Dr. Dan Siegel Resources: Dr. Siegel is a neuropsychiatrist that has written extensively about attachment and parenting strategies. The link is to his resource page that provides handouts for parents— you also might consider picking up one of his books.

Kidsburgh: This is an incredible resource for parents and caregivers in the Pittsburgh region. The link is to the page that shares services and supports for fathers— but they are so much more.

Allegheny County Trying Together: Trying Together is a group that is dedicated to the care and education of children in our communities. They offer many resources and support groups to promote the wellbeing and self-efficacy of parents/caregivers.

Allegheny County Intermediate Unit- Fatherhood Initiative : The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is focused on education in the region, but also provides resources to parents/caregivers. The link takes you to their “Fatherhood Initiative.”