Matrescence Sessions

Are you:

• About to enter the portal into parenthood? 

• Experiencing uncertainty or overwhelm about integrating motherhood into your identity?

• Hoping to make this transition from a place of intention, care, and agency?

• Interested in creating structures that will support your psychological growth during this period of immense change?

Matrescence sessions are for you. This is a gently structured 3-part experience in which we will explore your matrescence – the developmental process of becoming a mother – with curiosity and grace. Matrescence sessions blend the psychology and neurobiology of parenthood with your individual life experiences and needs. 

Session One: Purposeful Preparation (Beyond the Baby Registry)

Together, we will reflect on your hopes and fears related to parenthood. You will leave this session with a better understanding of your beliefs and the agency to make choices that will be most supportive of you and your family during this transition.

We will explore questions such as:

• What from your own childhood would you like to carry with you into your experience as a parent? What would you like to change, or let go of?

• New research indicates that matrescence is akin to adolescence in its rapid neurobiological changes. What was your adolescence like? How do you understand your patterns of responding to change?

• What are you worried about losing, within yourself or otherwise, in this transition? What might be healed?

• What values do you hope to honor as a parent?

• Who do you trust to care for you? What do you need in order to receive care?

Session Two: A Beginner’s Mind (and Heart)

With utmost gentleness and care, we will explore the newness of your experience as a parent. Together, we will identify your emerging strengths as a parent while centering your intentions and needs. We will prioritize nervous system regulation and maintaining or establishing a sense of wholeness. 

We will explore questions such as:

• What are you learning about yourself? What has surprised you?

• What has been most challenging? What’s weighing on your heart?

• Imagine a butterfly emerging from the crystallis. What are its needs? Desires?

• How are you prioritizing experiences that are calm, quiet, and restful?

• Where are you deriving your energy from during this chapter?

• Who is caring for you? How can we better mobilize, or maintain, your community to sustain your wellbeing?

Session Three: Integrating your Identity

This session is highly responsive to your individual circumstances and goals. The intention of this session is to help you begin the process of integrating motherhood into your identity by pausing to look back at what you’ve experienced and then articulating a vision of what you’d like to explore going forward. 

We will explore topics related to:

• Relationships

• Professional identity

• Community

• Culture

• Family (chosen and biological)

• Health

• Hobbies

• Wellbeing

Matrescence Sessions are scheduled individually and available via Zoom in in-person (Rhode Island and Massachusetts).