Grove: A Healing Collective

04/15/2026

The early days of parenthood are celebrated more than they are prepared for, and a lot of new parents end up in that season feeling like they’re doing something wrong. In this conversation, Melissa and Susan dig into what postpartum mental health actually looks like: not just depression, but anxiety, anger, and intrusive thoughts that can feel alarming without being dangerous. They share their own experiences, talk about why fathers experience postpartum struggles far more than most people realize, and make the case for why connection might be the most important resource a new parent can find. If you’ve ever wondered whether what you were feeling was normal, or something worth bringing up with someone, this conversation is worth your time.
Important note: Listening to this podcast is not therapy. It may be therapeutic, but it is not a substitute for individualized mental health treatment. If you’re looking for a therapist, we’d love to help you get connected.
🌿 grovehealingcollective.com
🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:
Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music • Podbean
Or tap to Listen: Grove: Beyond the Couch – 🎙️More Than Baby Blues:What Postpartum Mental Health Really Looks Like
https://beyondthecouch.podbean.com/e/more-than-baby-blues-what-postpartum-mental-health-really-looks-like/

04/12/2026

Our latest newsletter is here!

04/11/2026

Today Grove was honored to participate in Unique Day in Cookeville, an event dedicated to celebrating and supporting individuals with special needs and their families.

We had the chance to meet so many amazing people in our community. Our booth was full of smiles with a photo booth, fidget toys, fans, bookmarks, and plenty of conversations about mental health and community support.

Events like this remind us how powerful it is when organizations come together to share resources, build connections, and celebrate the uniqueness of every individual.

A huge thank you to Unique Cookeville and all of the organizations that made this day possible. It was inspiring to see so many groups working together to support our community.

We are grateful to be part of it. 💚

04/08/2026

Introducing Hike & Heal 🌿
Sometimes the best therapy happens outside the office.
Join us for Hike & Heal, a guided experience combining movement, nature, and reflection with one of our Clinical Mental Health Counselors. Together we’ll slow down, connect with nature, and create space for healing conversations along the trail.
🗓 Bimonthly hikes starting April 11
📍 Location: Burgess Falls State Park (This hike location is a one-time opportunity!)
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
💲 $65 per session
✨ Spots are limited — please sign up ASAP to reserve your place!
Come as you are — nature does the rest.
Reserve your spot:
📧 mfike@grovehealingcollective.com

04/08/2026

This Friday at Cookeville Mother’s Circle:
As we head into summer, we’re focusing on Water Safety to help keep our kids safe around pools, lakes, and other water environments.
This month, Coty Giddens will be sharing the American Red Cross–certified presentation “Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers.”
Coty’s presentation focuses on developing awareness around the risks of drowning and practical ways to reduce those risks, especially for young children. She’ll cover important concepts including:
• The Circle of Drowning Prevention
• Water Competency for children and caregivers
• The Chain of Drowning Survival
She’ll also provide helpful guidance for applying water safety in common situations where children are most at risk.
After the presentation, stay for the second hour to connect with other moms while the kiddos play!
📅 April 10, 2026 (Second Friday of every month)
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Hosted at Grove Healing Collective
Cookeville Mother’s Circle is a welcoming support group for local moms of all backgrounds and lifestyles, and we’re honored to help host this space for connection and support. 💚
We’re so grateful for the support of our local community in making this group possible. Thank you to for previously donating a gift card for one of our attendees. Your kindness helps support and encourage local moms. 💛
Check out the group, Cookeville Mother’s Circle, for more information!

04/07/2026

Grove Reflections 🌿
The conversation about postpartum mental health matters.
The weeks and months after welcoming a baby can be beautiful—but they can also be overwhelming, exhausting, and isolating. In our newest blog post, we explore common postpartum challenges, signs to watch for, and ways parents can find support during this season of life.
If you or someone you love is navigating the postpartum journey, we hope this resource helps you feel a little less alone. 💚
Read it here:

There’s a version of becoming a parent that gets shared a lot. It shows up in photos, baby announcements, and the way people ask about the baby in those first months. It’s captured in the phrase people say so confidently: “Your life starts now.” That version is real. But it’s not the ...

04/01/2026

Big Announcement at Grove…

We’re excited to introduce the newest member of the Grove team: Willow the Therapy Goat.

Willow specializes in:
• Emotional support
• Listening without judgment
• Eating paperwork
• Staring deeply into your soul while you process trauma

Appointments begin today. Please note: Willow accepts carrots, head scratches, and unconditional love as payment.

Grover has expressed some concerns about job security.

🌿 Happy April Fools from Grove!

04/01/2026

Listen here: https://beyondthecouch.podbean.com/e/can-ai-replace-therapy/

03/31/2026

A Heartfelt Thank You to Anna Pierce

It is with both gratitude and a little sadness that we share that our dear Childcare Director, Anna Pierce, will be leaving Grove as she and her family begin a new chapter in another city.

Anna has been such a special part of Grove. From the moment families walked through our doors, she created a space where children felt safe, welcomed, and cared for. Her kindness, patience, and joyful spirit made a lasting impact on the children she worked with and on our entire team.

While we will miss her deeply, we are so grateful for the time we had together and wish Anna and her family all the best as they begin this exciting new adventure. Once part of Grove, always part of Grove. 💚

As Anna transitions to this new chapter, we are grateful that Clara Thomas will be stepping into the Childcare Coordinator role. Many of you may already recognize Clara from our recent introduction post. Clara brings a background in Human Development and Family Science from Tennessee Tech, along with a warm and caring presence that fits beautifully with Grove’s mission.

We are excited for you to get to know Clara and are thankful for the care and continuity she will bring to the families and children we serve.

Please join us in wishing Anna the very best and in welcoming Clara into this role!

— The Grove Team 🌿

03/31/2026

In this episode, Melissa and Susan explore a timely question: can AI actually replace therapy? They talk through the pros, the limits, and the real risks of using tools like ChatGPT for emotional support, self-reflection, and mental health questions. From boundaries and human connection to the danger of relying on AI in moments of crisis, this conversation looks at where AI can be helpful as a tool and where it falls short of real therapy.

Important note: Listening to this podcast is not therapy. It may be therapeutic, but it is not a substitute for individualized mental health treatment. If you’re looking for a therapist, we’d love to help you get connected.
🌿 grovehealingcollective.com

🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:
Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music • Podbean

Or tap to Listen: Grove: Beyond the Couch – 🎙️Can AI Replace Therapy?
https://beyondthecouch.podbean.com/e/can-ai-replace-therapy/

Have you ever asked AI for mental health advice? We’re curious what your experience has been.

03/29/2026

This week at Grove was a hard one. Nothing dramatic—just the kind of week where many little things pile up and leave you feeling tired and emotionally drained.

Then a package arrived in the mail.

No return address. Just a box marked fragile.

I’ll admit, I opened it a little nervously. Inside was the sweetest gift and a note that immediately made me laugh… and then smile.

For a moment, the weight of the week lifted.

To the kind person who sent it: thank you. While we want to honor your anonymity, please know that your gesture meant more than you probably realize. Your kindness arrived at exactly the moment it was needed most.

Sometimes the smallest acts remind us why we do what we do. 💚

03/19/2026

Please help us welcome Clara to Grove! ✨

We are excited to introduce Clara, who is joining the Grove team as our Administrative Assistant and Childcare Coordinator, starting this Monday!

Clara graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a degree in Human Development and Family Science, and she recently moved to Cookeville from a small town just outside of Knoxville. She loves spending time outdoors and is passionate about supporting families and creating welcoming spaces for children.

At Grove, Clara will be helping with both administrative support and coordinating our childcare programs, including future camps and family-centered offerings.

We want to share that Clara is joining our team as an addition, and she will be working alongside Dalila and Noelle, who many of you already know and love. We’re grateful to continue growing in ways that help us better support our community.

Please join us in giving Clara a warm Grove welcome! 🌿