EXPERTISE

Aurélie Athan, Ph.D. is a Columbia University–affiliated and trained Licensed Psychologist specializing in reproductive wellbeing across the lifespan.

For nearly two decades, I’ve worked to change how we understand the major transitions of reproductive life—especially the profound psychological journey into motherhood.

In 2010, I was the first to systematically revive the word matrescence (Raphael, 1973)—the transition into motherhood—and built a social impact lab to advance it for the 21st century.

My current work extends to the more inclusive concept of reproductive identity: how our desires, decisions, and feelings around having—or not having—children shape who we are, how we live, and how we are valued.

Today, the concept has spread into pop culture, memoirs, documentaries, and public media, helping mothers better understand themselves.

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How We Can Work Together

Consultation & Supervision

  • Professional Supervision: for maternal care practitioners (mental health & allied professionals: OBGYNs, nurses, doulas, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, coaches, etc.)

  • Organizational Guidance: consultation to strengthen programming, services, and research agendas for institutions serving mothers and families

  • Policy Advising: consultation on maternal and reproductive health literacy for those working in government, public health, and law.

Education & Training

  • Workshops, lectures, and tailored presentations on:

    • Matrescence & the transition to motherhood

    • Reproductive health literacy for adolescents and emerging adults

    • Midlife identity development & creativity in women/mothers over 40

    • Maternal mental health training for medical residency programs, nursing, and allied fields

Interviews & Media

  • Available for expert commentary in print, radio, podcasts, documentaries, and live events on topics such as:

  • Matrescence and the psychology of becoming a mother

  • Reproductive identity across the lifespan

  • Fertility, choice, and the inner life of decision-making

  • Maternal mental health in pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond

  • Sexual and reproductive health education

  • Women’s creativity and reinvention in midlife

CONNECT

If you would like to request a consultation, expert interview, or to book a training, you may also email me directly here.