Dr. Richelle Whittaker shares from both her professional knowledge and personal experience about the natural developmental challenges of motherhood and how these are too often pathologized or made into disorders. She shares how viewing matrescence, or the transition into motherhood, within a wellness perspective can help us support ourselves and others throughout the many liminal spaces on our mothering journeys.

Our conversation covers: 

• Dr. Whittaker's own challenging transition into motherhood
• Her goals for who she is becoming as a mother now
• Why she started Mahogony Moms podcast
• Why we need to normalize the challenges of motherhood
• Institutional racism in maternal mental health 
• Barriers to postpartum mental health support
• Why we need to depathologize mothering transitions 
• How to support mothers through natural progressions versus saying something is “wrong with you”
• How journaling can support your mental health
• How faith supported her through her mothering transitions
• Why spirituality is good for your mental health
• Why she chooses to work within a coaching model versus a medical model to support mothers
• Why it’s important to ask for help

Dr. Richelle Whittaker is an educational psychologist board certified in perinatal mental health, a parenting coach, trainer, and author.  She is devoted to educating, equipping, and empowering women struggling with emotional challenges through pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood.  Her primary goal is to help moms become strong advocates for themselves and their children when it comes to making decisions about their mental health & education. 

Dr. Whittaker has more than 17 years of experience in the education and mental health field.  She is the author of Burps, Bibs, and Breakdowns: A 90 Day Journal for Moms and Embracing What’s Next: A 30 Day Journal for Parents.  She is also the host of the Mahogany Moms podcast.  

More information: 

You can find out more about Dr. Whittaker's parent coaching services www.nextstepseducation.com

Listen to Mahogony Moms podcast on Apple or wherever you listen

Follow her on Instagram

Buy her journal for mothers Bibs, Burps, and Breakdowns