Every parent goes through matrescence. Around one in five also experiences a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. Telling the two apart, and knowing what to say when a parent tells you they no longer know who they are, is what this conversation is about.

In this episode, Rebecca walks through matrescence with her guest, covering how the identity shift after birth mirrors adolescence, what changes in the brain and nervous system in pregnancy and postpartum, and how "ghosts in the nursery" can bring a parent's own history to the surface.

They talk about how to separate the clunky but normal parts of matrescence from the signs of a PMAD, how a NICU stay, loss or birth trauma changes the picture, and which responses help or shut a conversation down, whether you are a midwife, doula, GP, health visitor, lactation consultant or therapist.

Rebecca's guest is Maya McDaniel Bailey, MA, LPC, PMH-C, a licensed therapist, educator and creative based in Birmingham, Alabama. She owns From Rain to Rainbow Counseling and Consulting, where she runs continuing education trainings, consultation groups and treatment groups for clinicians and caretaking professionals, and her doctoral research at the University of Alabama focuses on trauma-informed systems change and maternal health disparities.

Her own postpartum experience led her into perinatal mental health advocacy, and she previews the self-compassion and DBT-informed activity from her upcoming PMHI training.

You will find the link to Maya's training below. Subscribe so you don't miss the next episode, and share this one with someone in a client's village.

Links & resources mentioned

* Maya's PMHI training, “The Sun will Rise and we will Start again: Building through Matrescence”: https://learn.perinatalmentalhealthinstitute.com/2610baileyregistration

* Maya McDaniel Bailey: https://monthlysparkle.net/portfolio

* Maya on social: @maya_rain2rainbow

* PMHI website: https://perinatalmentalhealthinstitute.com/

Disclaimer: Perinatal in Practice is intended for professional education purposes only. It does not constitute clinical advice or supervision, and does not replace your own professional judgment or your organisation's protocols.

🎵 Theme music: Hopeful Horizons by Justin Lee

And when you’re ready to transform your Perinatal Practice with evidence-based Training & Community:

🟢 Join the PMHI Community Hub: https://perinatalmentalhealthinstitute.com/communityhub