113: Dr. Kimberly Flemke on What Really Keeps Couples Stuck After Loss

Send Jen a Text MessageAfter stillbirth, grief finds its way into every corner of your life. And one of the first places it often shows up? Your relationship. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Kimberly Flemke, a licensed couple and family therapist, trauma expert, and energy psychology practitioner. With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Kimberly brings a holistic lens to healing and connection, especially for couples navigating heartbreak.We dive into what really happens in a relationship after baby loss, how resentment grows, why communication breaks down, and what to do when grief makes you feel like you’re living with a stranger.Dr. Kimberly also shares tools you can use today to break through disconnection and begin to feel safe, seen, and supported again. Whether you're a mom feeling stuck in your pain or a partner trying to reach across the emotional distance, this episode will help you feel less alone and more equipped.What You’ll Learn:Why resentment is one of the biggest blocks to intimacy after stillbirthThe first step to repairing emotional connectionHow childhood patterns influence conflict with your partnerWhat to do when you grieve differently from your partnerHow to know when to seek couples therapy or additional supportWhy communication shuts down (and how to gently open it back up)Tools for creating emotional safety in your relationshipHow EMDR and energy psychology can help with trauma and guiltWhat keeps couples stuck and how to shift the patternsHow to help children understand and talk about their sibling who diedResources Mentioned: Coming soon: Dr. Kimberly Flemke's new course for couples- "Transforming Conflict into CONNECTION protocol". Register at https://www.sacredjourneysfortransformation.com/https://navigatingbabyloss.com/workshopFree workshop for moms grieving stillbirth or pregnancy loss. Learn simple, trauma-informed practices to release guilt, calm the what-ifs, and honor your baby's memory with love instead of pain. Includes bonus Grief & Guilt Release Journal. Did you know you can text me right from your podcast app? My podcast host has a new feature that allows you to send a message or ask a question and I will answer them in future episodes! (just an FYI- it's a one-way message so I won't be able to respond unless you leave your name and contact info in the message!) Look under the title where it says Send Jen a message and let me know what’s on your mind.Download my FREE "Guilt and Grief Release Journal" at navigatingbabyloss.com/journalWHERE TO FIND AND FOLLOW ME!Website-  https://www.jennifersenn.comTik Tok-https://www.tiktok.com/@navigatingbabylossInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/navigatingbabyloss/You Tube-https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz-2MCEY5PRiF6p6VB_2lxA