We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dr. Lilit . Check out our conversation below.
Dr. Lilit , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Most mornings start with a bit of beautiful chaos. I try to wake up before my boys, but they’re early risers, so more often than not we’re all up together. The first stretch of my morning is all about them, diaper changes, potty time, brushing teeth, and then heading downstairs to get breakfast going. I usually make spinach pancakes, cut up some fruit, and grab yogurts while my toddler chatters away about whatever’s on his mind. Once they’re settled, I prep my toddler’s lunch for school. When our “village” (aka their favorite person…their grandma) arrives, that’s my window to run upstairs, get myself ready for work, and start the transition into my professional day. Before I head out, I make my coffee which is honestly my favorite ritual and something I look forward to every night before bed. Then it’s time to get my toddler dressed and ready for school. The drive to school is one of my favorite parts of the day. It’s our little pocket of connection where I get to hear his thoughts, questions, and stories. After drop-off, I shift gears and dive into my workday as a psychologist.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Lilit, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of my private practice in Los Angeles, where I specialize in maternal mental health and the complex identity shifts that come with motherhood. My work centers on supporting mothers especially entrepreneurial and working moms who are navigating postpartum challenges, identity loss, and the pressure to “have it all together” while raising little ones. Through my platform DrLilitAyrap.com and online community @dr_lilit, I share real, relatable conversations about motherhood, mental health, and the process of rediscovering yourself after becoming a parent. What makes my work unique is how I blend clinical expertise with lived experience. I’m not just a psychologist talking about these topics, I’m a mom living them too. My goal is to help women feel less alone and more connected to who they are beyond motherhood.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Without a doubt, my relationship with my sons has shaped me the most. Becoming their mother cracked me open in ways I never expected. It brought immense love and purpose, but also a deep sense of disorientation. I had spent years building my career, earning my doctorate, and feeling grounded in who I was professionally. And yet, when I became a mother, that sense of certainty was suddenly shaken. Even though I knew I was meant to be a mom, I found myself struggling to reconcile the woman I was before with the one I was becoming. That tension between fulfillment and loss, between being deeply grateful and yet feeling like I’d lost pieces of myself was transformative. My boys reshaped the way I understand identity, purpose, and self-compassion. Through them, I’ve learned that growth often begins in those moments of unraveling. That personal evolution is what now fuels my passion for helping other mothers navigate the same beautiful, messy identity shifts that come after having a baby.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell her that you can be both deeply ambitious and profoundly maternal and that one doesn’t take away from the other. For so long, I thought I had to choose between being the woman who built her career with passion and the mother who’s fully present for her children. The truth is, both can coexist, even if the balance looks different every season. I’d remind her that losing herself for a while isn’t failure but it’s transformation. The pieces that fall apart often make space for something fuller, more grounded, and more authentic to emerge. And that it’s okay to rewrite what success looks like as life evolves.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I’ve learned not to get caught up in what’s “in,” whether it’s in parenting, business, or personal growth. I think it’s easy to lose yourself chasing trends especially in a world where every new parenting philosophy or productivity hack is shared like gospel. For me, I always come back to what feels aligned and sustainable, not performative. For example, I don’t subscribe to every new parenting label or fad. I wouldn’t call myself a “gentle parent.” I believe in firm and loving parenting. My boys know they’re deeply loved, but they also know that boundaries and accountability are part of that love. I want them to see us working hard, showing up, and putting in effort, not for praise or external validation, but because integrity and inner drive matter. At home and in my work, I’m less interested in trends and more focused on timeless values, my culture and connection, responsibility, and resilience. Those are the foundations that last, long after the noise fades.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
I would regret not fully living this season of life with my kids, traveling with them even when it’s hard, saying yes to the chaos of family trips, and creating memories that become part of their emotional foundation. I want them to look back and remember that their childhood was filled with adventure, warmth, and connection, not perfection. I’d also regret not being intentional about traditions, pre-planning and showing up for every holiday season, big or small. Those moments matter. They create the rhythm and texture of a family story. And just as much, I want my boys to see what hard work looks like, to see us building, creating, and showing up for our passions and businesses. That’s part of the legacy too. Not just what we give them, but what we model: effort, curiosity, and the belief that joy and purpose can coexist with responsibility.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drlilitayrap.com/
- Instagram: dr_lilit
- Other: Tiktok: @drlilit
Image Credits
Megan Claire for photography
