May She Flourish
Space for mothers to reflect on the emotional and identity shifts of motherhood.
Kia ora, I’m Stacey May — the heart behind May She Flourish.
I’m a Registered Social Worker, Certified Matrescence Practitioner, and mother of two, based in Ashburton. My work is grounded in both professional experience and lived understanding of how deeply motherhood can reshape who we are.
Through May She Flourish, I offer gentle, meaningful support for mothers — informed by social work practice and a deep respect for the everyday realities of motherhood.
1:1 Support
Motherhood reshapes so much — your identity, emotions, relationships, and the expectations placed on you. My 1:1 sessions offer a calm, professional space to slow down, reflect, and explore what’s really happening beneath the surface. Drawing on my training in social work and matrescence, I help you gently untangle the emotions, patterns, and pressures shaping your experience so you can understand yourself with greater clarity, confidence, and compassion.
Whether we meet in person, in your home, or online, sessions move at your pace and centre what feels most important in that moment. Together, we might explore identity shifts, overwhelm, the mental load, relationship dynamics, or the expectations you hold of yourself and others. Many mothers find that the challenge they arrive with is only part of a deeper story — and discovering that deeper story often becomes the most empowering part of our work together.
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 profound — and often overlooked — transition we move through as we become mothers. It describes the emotional, physical, social, and identity shifts that unfold as we adjust to this new season of life.
Like adolescence, it’s a time of growth and change. Understanding matrescence helps make sense of why motherhood can feel both beautiful and overwhelming — and reminds you that you’re not failing, you’re transforming.
