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
Postpartum, Motherhood Melissa Parr Postpartum, 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 Melissa Parr Postpartum 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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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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5 Common Myths About Postpartum Mental Health (That Are Keeping Moms Stuck)
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

5 Common Myths About Postpartum Mental Health (That Are Keeping Moms Stuck)

Think postpartum mental health struggles are just the baby blues or that they’ll go away on their own? You’re not alone, and you’ve likely been misled. In this validating post, we unpack 5 common myths that keep new moms stuck in shame, silence, and self-blame. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unlike yourself in motherhood, this is for you.

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

Hormonal Shifts and Mood Changes After Birth: 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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Postpartum Anxiety: Symptoms, Triggers + Coping Strategies
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Postpartum Anxiety: Symptoms, Triggers + Coping Strategies

Struggling with constant worry and racing thoughts after having a baby? You’re not alone. Postpartum anxiety is a common but often overlooked condition that can make early motherhood feel overwhelming. In this blog post, we’ll explore the symptoms of postpartum anxiety, common triggers, and practical coping strategies to help you regain a sense of balance. Read on to learn how to navigate this challenging time with support and self-care.

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Healing with Therapy for Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Healing with Therapy for Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression can look different in each mom- for some it is filled with more anxiety, for others it’s a feeling of overwhelm and hopelessness, and others report a lack of feeling and general sense of disconnection. Postpartum is also very common, with 1 in 5 moms experiencing it. Postpartum depression is treatable and you can feel better. Read on to learn more about Therapy for Postpartum Depression.

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Dark Thoughts in Postpartum
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Dark Thoughts in Postpartum

Having dark, scary thoughts in the postpartum time can feel really bad and alarming, but they are actually quite common. Read more about Intrusive thoughts during postpartum, how to cope with them and when to seek out help.

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What to Know About Birth Trauma
Postpartum, Trauma Melissa Parr Postpartum, Trauma Melissa Parr

What to Know About Birth Trauma

Giving birth is quite the experience to say the least. Unfortunately, about 45% of new moms experience birth trauma. Read on to learn more about Birth Trauma. If this is something you or someone you love has experience, please know that there is help available.

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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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