The Matrescence Ritual is a full body and mind experience, drawing on conscious and unconscious emotional material.

A gentle list of affirmations to support good enough mothering, self-compassion, and emotional balance during everyday parenting.

It is normal to have feelings of anxiety, stress and depression immediately following the birth are not uncommon—these feelings are often re

Pregnancy and birth are major adult transitions filled with joy, but the transition to parenthood can also bring up feelings of insecurity, sadness or fear as you and your partner move into this different phase of self-identity. Parenting an infant is difficult, but if one of you had a complicated early family life, parenting can be like navigating rough waters, as flashbacks to unpleasant scenes from childhood intrude upon present reality.

Mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated. Mindfulness is learning to live more fully in the present moment without judging yourself or others and is one of the healthiest lifestyle choices you can make. It’s also an effective self-care and support as your identity undergoes the seismic change of incorporating motherhood and parenting.

Happy Mother’s Day! Be kind to yourself today. Affirmations by themselves are not all that need to do to enact change within yourself, but are a wonderful enhancement to positive self-development. Positive parenting and feeling well and confident take conscious, daily effort. The conscious processing of perceived hurts and events helps clear out old habits, making way for new thoughts and ways of being. Pursuing the development of the self and being gently and consciousl

Postpartum Thyroiditis, Pre-eclampsia, Scary Thoughts: An Interview with Jennifer This interview shares one mother’s personal experience with postpartum mood challenges. It is offered to increase awareness and reduce isolation, not as clinical guidance. In 2012, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jennifer, the founder of Organic Baby University . As a mental health professional specializing in Maternal Mental Health, Jennifer’s story has both personal and professional inter

Originally posted May 22, 2013. This is my creative arts workspace. 52 years ago, my mom, who is now 92, created this beautiful needlepoint cushion cover for her antique chair. I now use this chair when I work on my creative projects. Mom had this chair in her bedroom for many years before she created the cushion. I remember the chair when I was a small child. My mom was very creative. She did many quilts and needlepoints. I like to think I inherited my creativity a

Originally posted July 24th, 2012. “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” Dalai Llama. Two weeks ago my siblings and I moved my mom to assisted living. Some people know what that really means. Some people think they know, but I know they really don’t know. She gave up her home, her car, her bank accounts, her keys, her freedom. She still had her small dog. But they made me take him away from her after a few days, too. In the first few days in a strange setting, t