165: Mom Rage with Nicole McNelis, LPC

"I felt like I was drowning and exploding at the same time."

This week I'm joined by Nicole McNelis, LPC — perinatal mental health therapist, researcher, and one of the leading voices on maternal rage. We first met when she came to San Diego to present for our local Postpartum Health Alliance, and I've wanted to bring this conversation to you ever since.

Here's the reframe that changes everything: your rage is a message, not a meltdown. It's not a character flaw, it's a signal. And you're far from alone: in Nicole's research, 80% of perinatal providers said they're seeing mom rage in the moms they serve. This isn't a YOU thing. It's a system thing.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How we define maternal rage
• The cycle of rage: the buildup, the explosion, and the shame-and-guilt aftermath
• Why there's no widely used term for "dad rage" — and what that reveals about the mental load
• Real strategies for when rage bubbles up

Find Nicole:

• Instagram: @therapist.mom.collective
• Web: nicolemcnelis.com

To learn more about Dr. Cassidy's book and practice and get connected for a consult call visit www.drcassidymft.com

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