motherhood changes us
Matrescence
Matrescence is the transition into motherhood: the physical, emotional, social and identity changes of becoming a mother. Like adolescence, it is a natural developmental shift. It can unfold over years, and it happens again, differently, with each child.
It often holds opposite feelings side by side: love alongside grief for your old life, purpose alongside overwhelm. Struggling with this transition doesn't mean you're failing as a mother. For some women it also brings anxiety, low mood or past experiences resurfacing. These experiences are common, and support can make a real difference.
At Wellness Avenue, our psychologists support women through every stage of matrescence via confidential telehealth, wherever you are.
What we support:
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Pregnancy, including anxiety and low mood during pregnancy
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Birth trauma and difficult birth experiences
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Postnatal anxiety and depression
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Identity, relationship and role changes after a baby
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Pregnancy loss, fertility challenges and the transition to parenting again
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Feeling disconnected from yourself in the early years of motherhood
How we work
Sessions are a collaborative space to make sense of what you're carrying. Depending on what fits you, we draw on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR for birth trauma, and somatic and mindfulness-based approaches.
All sessions are by secure telehealth, so you can join from home, during nap time or with a baby on your lap.
Who you’ll work with
Our psychologists share a particular interest in perinatal and women’s mental health. Kirsty Troy’s background includes hospital-based work in women’s mental health at The Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne.
Mia De Palma is completing a PhD on coparenting and mental health in the transition to parenthood, and Megan Sinclair founded Wellness Avenue with matrescence at its heart.
Medicare + booking
With a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate on up to 10 sessions a calendar year. A standard session is $210, with a $101.55 Medicare rebate (out of pocket $108.45).
Contact us:
To book a session - please fill out our contact form, or email us:
ONLINE | AUSTRALIA WIDE
Please keep in mind that Wellness Avenue is not a crisis service. If you or someone you know are seeking immediate support please refer to the crisis support information.
If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of harm to yourself/themselves, please call 000 (triple zero) or present to your nearest emergency department. For perinatal support, PANDA’s National Helpline is 1300 726 306.