May She Flourish
Antenatal. Postpartum. Beyond
Kia ora, I'm Stacey May,
Therapist, Registered Social Worker, and Certified Matrescence Practitioner. I am based in Ashburton, and work with mothers across Aotearoa.
I'm also a mum of two young children. And despite my professional background, my training, and what I thought was solid antenatal preparation, I was not ready for the reality of becoming a mother.
The transition to motherhood has been the hardest thing I have ever faced. Deeply fulfilling, yes — but also disorienting, isolating at times, and full of challenges I didn't see coming. Challenges that made me question myself and doubt the mother I was, even when I was doing just fine.
Too many mothers move through pregnancy and motherhood with similar stories. Doubting and questioning themselves, not because they are doing anything wrong, but because the realities of motherhood are rarely spoken about honestly.
May She Flourish exists because you deserve more than that. A space where the hard is spoken about, where you are not underestimated. Where knowledge is given freely so you can make decisions that feel right for you and your family. Where you are not just supported, but genuinely understood — in all the complexity of what you're carrying.
I approach every mother with genuine empathy and without judgement. My hope is that you leave any of my services feeling seen, heard, and empowered. That you find confidence and comfort in knowing that you are not failing, that you are not alone and that it doesn’t always have to feel this hard.
Working Together
Whether you're a mum navigating the challenges of motherhood - the mental load, identity shifts, and relationship changes to name a few. Or a mum-to-be wanting to feel prepared for what's ahead this space is for you. Available in person and online.
1:1 Sessions
Antenatal Classes
NZ’s only antenatal classes designed and delivered by a psychologist and team of experts. Trusted by midwives and GPs, focused on postpartum prep and infant wellbeing, delivered in person and live online.
Groups
What is Matrescence
“Matrescence is the process of adapting to a series of changes associated with becoming and being a mother.” — Matrescence NZ
Matrescence is the process of becoming a mother. Not just the birth, not just the newborn days, but the ongoing transformation of who you are — your identity, your relationships, your sense of self, your body, your emotions. It's a word that many mothers have never heard. But the moment they do, something shifts. Suddenly there is language for what they have been living. And with language comes relief.
If you have ever felt like you lost yourself in motherhood, you were not lost. You were transforming.