KHORA

Maternal & Reproductive Psychology Lab

We area a social impact lab whose goal is to increase health literacy around the topic of Matrescence & Reproductive Identity.

Events

Please join our new and exciting TC Fall Book Talk Series that explores the reproductive spectrum and the process of becoming a mother, known as "matrescence” with three insightful authors: 

Dr. Aurélie Athan, Associate Research Professor in the Department of Counseling & Clinical Psychology at Teachers College who theorizes on reproductive identity development and matrescence, will moderate.

This TC Book Talk is FREE and open to all (including those outside of the TC community!) Refreshments will be served after so please bring a copy of your book to have it signed!

TC LIBRARY LINKS: 

RESEARCH

The matrescence laboratory arm of reproductive & maternal psychology aims to study the transition to motherhood, or "matrescence," as a unique developmental phase within the lifespan trajectory. Few areas in psychology have developed as slowly as research and theory about mothers. This laboratory aims to redress the lack of research into the "interiority" or subjectivity of mothers and elaborate on their language to describe their experience. 

For this reason, we define mothers broadly as people for whom child care is a significant part of their working lives beyond normative biological, gendered, and sexual constructions. People become mothers through preconception, pregnancy, birth, surrogacy, adoption, marriage, coupling, familial blending, choice, and community. Therefore "mother" is a unique identity important to many people that intersects with others in context-specific ways.

We use qualitative and quantitative research methods to examine adaptation to pregnancy and parenting. Individual differences in psychological strengths that increase resilience are measured alongside clinical indicators of risk for psychological distress. We critically reexamine perinatal psychopathology and elaborate normative developmental processes.

Findings from this research support the rationale for creating a transdisciplinary field of Matrescence in which mothers are subjects of interest in their own right beyond their traditional role as functional agents of child development. The psychology of mothers remains marginalized in scholarly and clinical inquiry as the empathic thrust or curiosity has yet to lean in their direction historically.

This work contributes to alternative discourses already underway in sister social science disciplines (e.g., nursing, social work, midwifery). Our feminist-informed, positive psychology, psycho-spiritual lens highlights motherhood's socio-political context while honoring the transformative and growth-producing dimensions of mothering. We emphasize real-world application to treatment, community, and academic settings. Our core mission is to disseminate trustworthy findings on reproductive and maternal well-being for the public.

Make safe the way that leads on high, 

And close the path to misery.

12th C. Advent Hymn, Unknown

Lab Team

Aurélie Athan, Ph.D.
Founder, Lab Director

I am a clinical psychologist and faculty member at Teachers College, Columbia University where I revive the term Matrescence through teaching and writing. My graduate-level courses and certificate program in Reproductive Psychology are the first of their kind. I study mothers' development holistically, both their thriving and distress, and offer an empowering, strengths-based approach to normalize the transition to motherhood. I am in private practice and consult with women of all ages as well as professionals working to improve the wellbeing of mothers.

Allison Davis, MS, LPCC, PhD
Research Fellow

Dr. Allison Davis is a counselor, educator, and researcher of maternal mental health. She developed a strength-based developmental approach to ecodistress in the transition into motherhood based on her decade of experience providing ecotherapy for new mothers. Her innovative research on the ecological domain of matrescence has been published in peer-review journals such as The Journal of Ecopsychology and Women’s Studies International Forum. In addition to her private practice in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she is Program Chair and teaches at Southwestern College in the Clinical Counseling Masters Program and is the inaugural Matrescence Research Fellow at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Lindsay White
Research Assistant

Lindsay joined the Maternal Psychology Lab as a research assistant while pursuing her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College. Her research combines interests in parental mental health and innovative treatment methods, including novel applications of psychedelic-assisted therapies. In addition to her work with the lab, Lindsay serves as a co-facilitator of the Day Program at The Motherhood Center. An aspiring therapist, Lindsay is deeply committed to fostering a supportive atmosphere for patients suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
She looks forward to beginning her doctoral studies at Pace University in Fall 2023.

 

Julia Sarewitz
Research Assistant

I completed my MA of Psychology in Education with a concentration in Spirituality, Mind and Body at Teachers College, Columbia University. My studies included the developmental life stage of matrescence, adolescent wellness, adult learning, and positive psychology. I am a lifelong teacher and have taught hundreds of students from ages two through adulthood. While I approach teaching matrescence work and meditation with an openness to spirit, I understand the impact of these practices on one’s holistic wellness through the lens of science and research.

co-founder of Seed Mother & matrescence educator, Wellness & Spirit coach at www.JourneysMeditation.com and www.seed-mother.com

Victoria Trinko
Research Assistant

I recently completed a Master of Arts in Psychology in Education with a concentration in Spirituality Mind-Body Practice as well as an advanced certificate in Reproductive + Maternal Well-Being. My studies focus on the integration of spirituality and reproductive & maternal psychology, and the impact of psycho-spiritual interventions on health & well-being. Specifically, I am interested in educating and working with perinatal people to help guide their personal growth and self-development through the profound transition to motherhood.

co-founder of Seed Mother, a matrescence educator, a yoga teacher, www.seed-mother.com

Christine Carrig, M.S.Ed.
Writer in Residence

Christine Carrig joined The Lab as Writer in Residence after taking The Mother-Child Matrix. With a master's in early childhood development and certification in Montessori education, her work focuses on the intersection between child development and maternal development in the hopes of bringing a more holistic view to the parent-child dyad. She is eager to disseminate the work that is being done in The Lab through writing in publications that will reach mothers directly. 

Christine is also the founding director of Carrig Montessori School in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and has been a Montessori teacher and administrator for nearly two decades.

Alexandra Bolshakov
Research Assistant

I am a researcher of maternal wellbeing and digital healthcare experiences. In my role as Senior Health Care Research Associate at Corporate Insight, I design and analyze research to stay ahead of technological disruptions and meet the rising demands of patient consumerism. Currently, as a Research Assistant in the Maternal Psychology Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University, I focus on maternal psychology. Additionally, I am completing the SWG certificate program with a concentration in Maternal Health and Wellbeing. My educational background and diverse research experience contribute to my comprehensive understanding of maternal psychology and the importance of supporting individuals through the transition to parenthood.

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