About Ostara OT
Well hey there Mama
Meet Tess
I’m Tess, a Mother of two young kiddo’s and a women’s health OT. Nurturing women as they are born into and negotiate Motherhood is the log on which my soul fire burns brightest. I am passionate about improving health outcomes for women by providing evidenced based (and heart centred) occupational therapy, through the lens of Matrescence. I’m an all-round Mama advocate and am here to play my part in revolutionising the way we experience Motherhood. My vision is to empower women, mothers and birthing people so they step into and realise their full potential.
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My own journey from maiden to mother has led me to this work. The birth of my first child brought about complex and conflicting feelings. Fulfillment, joy and a deep sense of purpose alongside frustration, worry and overwhelm. Like so many before me, I was determined to do Mothering “right”. It didn’t take long for me to fall into parental perfectionism and I found myself tied up in knots attempting to meet unrealistic expectations. My own challenges brought into focus, a gaping hole in our healthcare system. My purpose is to be of service to mothers. Because when a mother is respected and well cared for, she, and her whole family will benefit.
What is Matrescence?
Matrescence, is the developmental process of becoming a Mother. It begins with pre-conception and spans conception, pregnancy, birth and beyond. Like adolescence, Matrescence can be an equally turbulent time of life and involves significant change across physical, psychological, social, spiritual and political domains. Matrescence is a complex, multi-factoral rite of passage. Existing on a spectrum, Matrescence is universal yet expressed individually for each person and to varying degrees.
Why Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapists use a whole person perspective to work with individuals, groups and communities to achieve optimal health and wellbeing through participation in the occupations of life. The term ‘occupation’ is used to describe all the everyday things we do in our life roles, but also the things we do to be who we are, the things we do to create a meaningful life and to engage with wider society and culture. (OTA, 2021)
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Women have unique needs, especially as they evolve and grow in Motherhood. As a women’s health OT who focuses on maternal care, I address these needs from a health, wellbeing and developmental perspective. I aim to facilitate successful life transitions such as those experienced during Matrescence. I help Mothers explore this phase of life with respect to their unique circumstances, to overcome difficulties completing tasks you need/want to do for yourself or others. These difficulties might be due to physical or mental health issues.
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As you develop new skills caring for your baby, I support you to make informed choices that feel aligned with your values. Birth and Motherhood can bring dramatic shifts in our identity. I work with women to find their inner compass in order to orientate (or re-orientate) to their new sense of self. I do this through woman centred practice. Adopting a holistic and collaborative approach to optimise physical, mental and spiritual health. ​
You are worthy of support!
We wouldn’t expect our children to navigate the changes that occur during adolescence without guidance and understanding. Yet somehow we have been led to believe that becoming a mother is merely instinctual and effortless. Matrescence is a developmental process that requires careful, considered, dedicated care. No matter where you are on the spectrum of health, you are worthy of support.
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​Planning and preparing for pregnancy and birth.
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Education regarding biologically normal infant sleep.
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Values clarification to support decision making.
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Attachment focused parent coaching.
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Postpartum planning to optimise recovery and transition to motherhood.
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Practical self-care strategies.
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Maternal sleep support.
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Exploring infant cry/fuss problems.
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Developing new routines and lifestyle redesign.
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Emotional regulation.
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Modifying the way you move or the tasks you complete to minimise pain/aid recovery.
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Emotional and mental health support.
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Strategies to manage overstimulation and overwhelm.
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Breastfeeding support (and on referral where necessary).
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Birth debriefing.
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Unpacking difficult feelings like grief, guilt, shame and irritability.
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Navigating changes with identity.
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Strategies to manage stress, anxiety or depression.
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Exploring Matrescence and mothering rites of passage.
In working with me, support might look like:
My Values
At Ostara Occupational Therapy I take pride in delivering services that place you at the centre of all I do. I do not believe in one size fits all or off shelf solutions. I am committed to providing exceptional care that is individualised and goal directed. Informed by matricentric feminism, I advocate for mothers at the macro level by highlighting systemic, structural and institutional inequities in order to influence the lives of the individuals I serve. My approach is guided by a set of core values that define who I am and shape every aspect of my practice:
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Empowerment: I trust and honour the innate wisdom you possess for yourself and your children. I support you to realise your full potential, so you may exercise agency within your season of motherhood, parent with authenticity and make informed choices.
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Compassion: this is a safe place for women and mothers to land; where you can be heard, held and seen. It is my goal to create a nurturing environment in which you are shown kindness, warmth, empathy and understanding.
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Evidenced based practice: I am committed to ethical, transparent and responsible care. Healthcare is constantly evolving and I strive to evolve with it; integrating new research findings with best practice to optimise outcomes for clients.
Inclusivity: I welcome all walks of life and acknowledge the rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds, traditions and identities that exist within my community. This extends to those people who have biologically female bodies yet do not identify as a woman or mother.
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Non-judgement: “Come as you are”. People are complex beings who are shaped by a range of internal and external factors. My approach is grounded in the principles of unconditional acceptance and positive intentionality. Know that this is a place where you can be your whole self, without judgement.
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Connection: humans are social creatures, wired to connect. I recognise the benefit of good relationships and the positive impact this has for health and wellbeing. In line with this, I respect the reciprocal nature of the mother/infant dyad and hold both you and your child in mind, as we embark on our work together.
Credentials
In addition to my university degree and over 10 years of experience, I also hold the following certifications, affiliations and memberships:
Make An Appointment
"If Mothers are well, families can be well. And if families are well, then society has a much better chance of being well."
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Are you ready to make an appointment with Tess? You can book online (click below) or please feel free to get in touch using our contact form for more information.