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The Invisible Weight of Motherhood in Postpartum: Understanding and Sharing the Mental Load
Mental Load Melissa Parr Mental Load Melissa Parr

The Invisible Weight of Motherhood in Postpartum: Understanding and Sharing the Mental Load

Motherhood often comes with an invisible backpack of responsibility- remembering feeding schedules, planning pediatrician visits, managing household tasks, all while running on very little sleep. This unseen burden is called the mental load, and for many new moms, it becomes heavier than ever in the postpartum period. In this post, we’ll explore what the mental load is, why it intensifies after baby arrives, how it impacts your mental health and relationships, and practical tools to begin sharing it more equally. Plus, discover a new resource designed to help couples rebalance the load together.

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Top 5 Reasons to Start Therapy While Pregnant
Motherhood Melissa Parr Motherhood Melissa Parr

Top 5 Reasons to Start Therapy While Pregnant

Pregnancy can bring joy but also anxiety, identity shifts, and unexpected emotional triggers. Therapy during pregnancy gives you a safe, supportive space to process what’s coming, heal what’s surfacing, and prepare for postpartum with more clarity and confidence. In this post, we explore five powerful reasons to consider starting therapy while pregnant, and how it can support your emotional well-being before baby arrives.

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Struggling in Postpartum? Understanding Clean Pain vs. Dirty Pain Can Help
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Struggling in Postpartum? Understanding Clean Pain vs. Dirty Pain Can Help

Postpartum can feel like an emotional rollercoaster and you’re not alone in wondering why it’s so hard. In this post, we explore the powerful concept of clean vs. dirty pain to help you understand your struggles with more clarity and compassion. Learn how to tell the difference, why it matters, and what you can do to feel more supported and less stuck.

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Who Am I Now? Navigating Identity Shifts in Motherhood
Motherhood Melissa Parr Motherhood Melissa Parr

Who Am I Now? Navigating Identity Shifts in Motherhood

“Who am I now?”

If you’ve found yourself asking this question since becoming a mom, you’re not alone. Many mothers feel a deep identity shift after birth- like parts of them have gone missing or no longer fit. This blog explores the emotional and psychological transformation of matrescence (yes, it’s a real thing!), why it feels so disorienting, and how you can begin reconnecting with yourself in this new season of life. Because you haven’t lost yourself- you’re becoming someone new.

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Scary Thoughts After Baby? What No One Tells You About Postpartum Intrusive Thoughts
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Scary Thoughts After Baby? What No One Tells You About Postpartum Intrusive Thoughts

If you’re having scary, unwanted thoughts about your baby, you’re not alone and you’re not a bad mom. These intrusive thoughts are more common than you think and may be a sign of postpartum OCD, a misunderstood but treatable condition. This blog helps you understand what’s happening in your mind and how to find support that actually helps.

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Why You Might Still Be Grieving Your Birth Experience (Even with a Healthy Baby)
Postpartum, Trauma Melissa Parr Postpartum, Trauma Melissa Parr

Why You Might Still Be Grieving Your Birth Experience (Even with a Healthy Baby)

You’ve been told, “All that matters is a healthy baby.” But what about how you feel after birth? If you’re carrying sadness, anger, or grief about your birth experience, you’re not alone and you’re not ungrateful. Many moms silently struggle with birth trauma, even when everything “looks fine” from the outside. In this blog, we explore why it’s normal to grieve your birth, how trauma can show up postpartum, and how therapy, including EMDR, can help you process what happened, ease emotional triggers, and feel proud of your story. Your experience matters. Healing is possible.

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Sleep Deprivation in Postpartum: How to Cope When You’re Beyond Exhausted
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Sleep Deprivation in Postpartum: How to Cope When You’re Beyond Exhausted

Postpartum sleep deprivation isn’t just “part of the job”- it can shake your sense of self, hijack your emotions, and make even the smallest tasks feel impossible. If you’re deep in the fog of exhaustion, this blog post is for you. I’m breaking down why sleep feels so out of reach in early motherhood and sharing therapist-backed strategies to help you rest, regulate, and feel more like you again. Because you deserve support- not just survival.

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Anxiety vs. OCD in Motherhood: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
Anxiety Melissa Parr Anxiety Melissa Parr

Anxiety vs. OCD in Motherhood: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

Anxiety and OCD are both common in early motherhood but they can feel confusing and easy to mix up. This blog explores the key differences between anxiety vs. OCD, including how they show up in postpartum moms, what intrusive thoughts really mean, and why the right diagnosis matters. You’ll also learn about lesser-known forms like Relationship OCD and Pure “O” OCD, how trauma and perfectionism play a role, and what treatments like CBT, EMDR, and ERP can offer. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this normal, or is something wrong with me?”- this post is for you.

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Treating Postpartum Depression Naturally: Gentle, Holistic Support for New Moms
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Treating Postpartum Depression Naturally: Gentle, Holistic Support for New Moms

You love your baby, but lately, you don’t feel like yourself. If you’re tearful, anxious, disconnected, or just getting through the day on autopilot, you’re not alone. Postpartum depression is real, and it’s more common than most people realize. The good news? You don’t have to suffer in silence and you don’t have to go straight to medication if that doesn’t feel right for you. In this post, I’ll explore how to treat postpartum depression naturally using gentle, research-backed tools that support both your emotional well-being and your nervous system.

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Hormonal Shifts and Mood Changes in Postpartum: What’s Really Going On
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Hormonal Shifts and Mood Changes in Postpartum: What’s Really Going On

Why do I feel so emotional after birth and again after weaning?

This blog breaks down the real, biological reasons behind postpartum mood swings, anxiety, and emotional crashes after stopping breastfeeding. If you’ve been wondering whether what you’re feeling is “normal,” this post will help you understand what’s happening in your body and how therapy can support your healing.

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EMDR Therapy: A Path to Healing Trauma for Moms
Motherhood Melissa Parr Motherhood Melissa Parr

EMDR Therapy: A Path to Healing Trauma for Moms

Being a mom is one of life’s most fulfilling roles, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Many moms face immense pressure to balance caregiving, work, relationships, and personal well-being. For some, these challenges are compounded by unresolved trauma, anxiety, depression, or feelings of burnout. If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone, and there are tools that can help. One powerful tool is EMDR Therapy. Read on to learn more about EMDR and how it can be particularly helpful for moms.

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The Essential Guide to Postpartum
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

The Essential Guide to Postpartum

The postpartum time is certainly a huge transition and quite honestly, all that reading and preparing for baby probably did not address many of the common struggles that come up during this time. As a perinatal therapist for moms in the postpartum time, these are the common pain points of postpartum that I see with my clients, along with strategies to help you through them.

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Postpartum Support | What I Wish I Knew as a New Mom
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Postpartum Support | What I Wish I Knew as a New Mom

Becoming a mother is an amazing experience. It changes your life in every possible way. I thought I was more than ready to be a mom and for my postpartum experience, however, I was really thrown for a loop. Read on to learn more about getting Postpartum Support and the things I wish I knew as a new mom.

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Is it the Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Is it the Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?

The period of time after having a baby is intense with lots of ups and downs. Many moms report feeling more "emotional" with crying fits, feeling sad and overwhelmed, and increased conflict with their partners. This is often described as the "Baby Blues," however some moms will experience Postpartum Depression. How do you know if it’s you have the “Baby Blues” or something more, like Postpartum Depression? Read on to learn more.

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