Motherhood and Matrescence
A Full Day Educational Workshop for Mothers and those that Support them Professionally
with Dr. Andrea O’Reilly, Ph.D. and Chelsea Robinson, MSW, LCSW
Saturday, March 29, 2025, 11am EST - 6pm EST
Context Matters.
Join LIVE Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 11am EST to 6pm EST via zoom.
A shift in perspective and support for mothers is essential NOW than ever.
Achieving this shift requires a comprehensive understanding of both matrescence and Motherhood - concepts that provide the necessary context for transforming the culture of Motherhood and reducing the pathologization of mothers.
This workshop calls for an urgent reexamination of how we perceive and support mothers, advocating for a more empowering, inclusive approach that acknowledges the complex developmental process of matrescence and challenges the dominant, often limiting narratives surrounding Motherhood.
Come learn from Maternal Scholar, professor and author, Dr. Andrea O’Reilly and Chelsea Robinson, LCSW, founder of The Matricentric Way in this educational 7-hour live, virtual event.
Morning Workshop:
Dr. Andrea O’Reilly is internationally recognized as the founder of Motherhood Studies (2006) and its subfield Maternal Theory (2007), and creator of Matricentric Feminism, a feminism for and about mothers (2016) and Matricritics, a literary theory and practice for a reading of mother-focused texts (2021). She is full professor in the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at York University, founder/editor-in-chief of the Journal of the Motherhood Initiative and publisher of Demeter Press. She is author and co-editor/editor of thirty-five plus books on motherhood. She is currently completing a monograph on Motherhood and Mothering in Post 2010 Women’s Fiction/Memoir.
Challenging Normative Motherhood, Achieving Empowered Mothering Through a Theory and Practice of Matricentric Feminism and Matricritics.
The half day education workshop explores how normative motherhood functions as an oppressive institution to dominate and regulate mothers and their mothering and how mothers may resist and transform this institution through empowered mothering.
We will also consider how matricentric feminism, a feminism for and about mothers - along with matricritics, a mother-centred mode of reading maternal narratives- supports and facilitates a critique of and change to normative motherhood.
Participants will receive a free copy of In (M)other Words: Writings on Mothering and Motherhood 2009-2024 (value $55.95 CAN).
AfternoonWorkshop:
Chelsea is a leading authority in maternal mental health, recognized for pioneering an approach that bridges theory and practice, offering a profound understanding of the complexities of motherhood and maternal development. Chelsea distinguishes between postpartum mood disorders and the universal experience of matrescence, challenging the pathologization of motherhood. Drawing on over a decade of experience as a Clinical Director in trauma, she developed The Matricentric Way, a socio-cultural care model centered on mothers' experiences across their maternal lifespan. This model is now taught to professionals worldwide. Chelsea's work, including presentations at major conferences and her influential podcast, continues to reshape the discourse on maternal mental health, fostering a more compassionate and insightful understanding of motherhood.
Decreasing Maternal Pathology and Expanding the Conversation on Maternal Mental Health with the Theory of Matrescence - Principles, Core Competencies and Implications for Practice.
This half-day educational workshop delves into the significance of the theory of matrescence in broadening the understanding of what is considered “normative” within the context of Motherhood.
Matrescence, a pivotal yet often underrecognized developmental push in a woman’s life course, holds transformative potential - not only in the personal evolution of the individual mother but also within the broader collective of mothers.
This workshop will explore the critical importance of this theory in reshaping contemporary perceptions of being a Mother, and why its application is particularly vital in today’s cultural context.
Join Maternal Scholar and creator of the field of Motherhood Studies and Matricentric Feminism, Dr. Andrea O’Reilly, Ph.D. and Chelsea Robison, MSW, LCSW, founder of The Matricentric Way for this unique, inspiring and change-making LIVE workshop on Motherhood and Matrescence.
Saturday, March 29, 2025
11am EST - 6pm EST
Have Questions?
“I signed up for The Matricentric Way because of my deep interest in how becoming a mother impacts a mother's identity.
A friend and colleague had just completed the program and raved about her experience. I had resisted going down the "matrescence" rabbit hole (which I’m now kicking myself for!), but the more I explored maternal identity further, the more I realized it was something I couldn’t avoid. I was drawn in by the powerful language Chelsea Robinson used on her website, like “The way we are supporting mothers needs to change” and “Mothers need validation, normalization, and one another. They need education, data, and a paradigm shift.” These statements resonated with me and captured what I knew was true from my personal and professional experiences.
Chelsea didn’t just deliver on what she promised—she knocked it out of the park. From the beginning, I started learning concepts and tools I could immediately share with my clients, and I saw its instant impact. Having the words to describe what so many new moms are feeling, coupled with the research and data to more powerfully say, “You’re not alone,” has been a game changer. I feel incredibly grateful to have been a participant and to now count Chelsea as a mentor. The course materials, resources, and reflection prompts are something I know I’ll return to again and again for probably years to come. We covered so much, and yet, it feels like we’ve just scratched the surface in the best way.
If you’re feeling called to learn more about how to truly support moms through their transition into motherhood, to find the words to describe their experiences, and to better understand the unique challenges mothers face today, I can’t recommend this training program enough.”
Be Part of the Change in Maternal Care
Are you ready to join a community of professionals dedicated to transforming maternal care?
Enroll in The Matricentric Way today and start making a difference in the lives of mothers and their families.