Virtual wellness presentation for healthcare personnel, social workers, case managers, educators, community outreach staff, and anyone supporting families with young children.
A Map of Matrescence:
How Perinatal Professionals’ Understanding of the Transition to Motherhood Can Be Protective of Mothers’ Mental Health
Matrescence, the transition into motherhood, is a profound biological, emotional, and social transformation that occurs over two to three years. Discussions on this topic have been growing; however, there is a gap in the understanding of how the transition unfolds.
During this presentation, participants will be introduced to a map of matrescence and gain a deeper understanding of the transition to motherhood.
Monday, November 16, 2026
11:00am - 12:30pm
Registration is free!
1.5 CEU Hours Available*
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Palm Beach County is approved through the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, Florida Board of Psychology, and Florida Board of Nursing- CE Provider Number #50-28664.
Participants will explore an evidence-based map of matrescence that helps explain the emotional, mental, and life changes that often occur during the transition to motherhood. The framework also highlights the types of support that can help mothers thrive at each stage of the journey.
Learning objectives:
Understand matrescence and learn why it is an important stage of emotional, mental, and personal development.
Learn about an evidence-based model of matrescence, including practical tools and resources to support mothers through different stages of their journey.
Recognize common experiences during matrescence, such as grief, stress, and uncertainty, and understand how they differ from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Build confidence in supporting mothers through a whole-person approach that considers their emotional, mental, social, and developmental needs.
Speaker: Jessie Harold
Jessie Harrold is a coach, doula and author who has been supporting women through life transitions and rites of passage for nearly twenty years.
A world-leading expert in matrescence, Jessie is the author of the award-winning book Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage, and the editor of Mother Becoming: Reflections and Scholarship on Matrescence.
She is the founder of the MotherSHIFT matrescence support program and The Village Matrescence Educator Certification for perinatal professionals.
Her work has been published internationally in peer-reviewed journals and popular media alike.
Jessie is a mother of two and lives on Mi’kmaq’i, the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people known currently as Nova Scotia, Canada.