Roots Expert Spotlight: Meet Jillian Perry, LMFT

At Little Seeds, we believe that supporting parents means caring for the whole person—not just the baby, not just the logistics, but the identity shifts that come with becoming a parent. Our Roots Expert Spotlight series introduces the professionals we trust, offering a deeper look into who they are, what they do, and how they support families during tender seasons.

Today, we’re honored to introduce Jillian Perry, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in Perinatal Mental Health.

A Little About Jillian and Her Work

Jillian works with new and seasoned mothers navigating matrescence—the profound emotional, mental, and identity shift that comes with becoming and being a mother.

In her work, Jillian helps moms get clear on what they actually value for themselves and their families, rather than getting lost in the endless “shoulds” and “supposed tos” of modern motherhood. She challenges the idea that moms need to do it all perfectly and brings humor, warmth, and honesty into the messiness of parenting.

Her work is especially supportive for anxious, perfectionistic, high-achieving mothers, helping them feel more grounded, self-trusting, and human.

What Drew Her to This Work

When Jillian became a mother herself, her world shifted—beautifully, but not without challenges.

After giving birth to a tiny (and healthy) baby girl, she found herself consumed by worries about feeding and weight gain. Even as a therapist, she wasn’t fully prepared for the emotional complexity of matrescence. That lived experience opened her eyes to just how much support mothers need during this transition.

From that moment on, Jillian knew she wanted to be that support for other moms—someone who could walk alongside them through the uncertainty, tenderness, and growth.

Family Life in This Season

Life right now is full and busy.

Jillian is parenting a bouncy, curious, and creative toddler who surprises her daily. Watching her child grow means she’s constantly learning—not only about who her daughter is becoming, but who she is becoming as a mother.

What Parents Need More Support Around in the Early Days

Permission.

Parents today are inundated with information, advice, and opinions. What Jillian sees parents needing most is permission to simply be—to show up with all their messy, courageous parts and hear the words: you’re doing your best, and that’s enough.

How She Hopes Families Feel After Working With Her

Jillian hopes families leave feeling seen and met exactly where they are.

Her goal is for mothers to experience more joy in parenting, deeper confidence in themselves, and a stronger connection to who they are—not only as mothers, but as whole people.

One Small Piece of Advice for New or Expecting Parents

Be gentle with yourself.

Whether this is your first baby or not, you’re meeting someone new while also becoming someone new yourself. Jillian encourages parents to offer themselves the same compassion, curiosity, and courage they would give a close friend.

She also offers this practical reminder: be mindful of how much information you’re consuming. Too much input can drown out your own inner voice—the one that knows your baby and family best.

Favorite Rituals During Busy Days

Morning gym sessions are non-negotiable for Jillian. Moving her body first thing helps her show up with more energy and a better mindset for the rest of the day.

And, of course, good coffee—she’s currently on the hunt for the best beans for a pour-over with frothed almond milk.

A Tool She Often Recommends

Jillian often shares a simple but powerful practice she calls The 30-Second Reset.

Set a timer (yes, actually set it), and for 30 seconds, do something that helps regulate your nervous system—deep breathing, repeating a mantra, drinking cold water, hiding in a dark bathroom, whatever works. Thirty seconds can feel surprisingly long in moments of overwhelm.

The key is to practice this before you desperately need it, so it’s available to you when things feel hard.

What Support Looks Like in Her Own Life

Right now, support looks like community.

Friends and family are everything, especially those in the same season of parenting. Being around people who understand without explanation makes all the difference.

Something Just for Her

Baking has become Jillian’s creative outlet.

She loves nourishing herself and her family through food and will happily experiment with anything involving her sourdough starter—from sandwich bread to snickerdoodle cookies to bagels. It’s both grounding and joyful.

Why Community Matters So Much During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Parenting can be incredibly lonely.

Spending long hours with tiny humans—whether they can talk or not—can feel isolating. Community offers connection, validation, and the reminder that you’re not alone. Being seen and held by others during pregnancy and postpartum isn’t just helpful—it’s what we’re wired for as humans.

Connect With Jillian

Website: www.jillianperrylmft.com

Social Media: @jillianperrylmft

Jillian welcomes mothers in all seasons of parenthood to explore working together and see if her support feels like the right fit during pregnancy, postpartum, or beyond.