About Us
Matrescence Occupational Therapy
“Matrescence changed us and it changed who are as occupational therapists.”
We were both OTs before we became mothers. Though each of us had a very different experience through pregnancy, birth, and the first year of motherhood, we each came to a similar conclusion about the professional support we wished we’d had. We realized we had needed an occupational therapist. Pregnancy, postpartum, the transitions in early motherhood, and even planning to have a family, all require an enormous amount of change. Matrescence, or the physical, physiological, hormonal, psychological, social and even political changes during transitions to and during motherhood, deserve support, respect and attention. We co-founded Matrescence Occupational Therapy in order to provide community-based OT services to support clients in the way we wished we had. We started this practice to fill a gap in maternal and perinatal health and well-being during an incredible developmental phase of a mother's life.
Hey there!
We’re Jessica and Gayle
We met as occupational therapists working at a hospital in Austin, TX in 2018 when Jessica had just returned from maternity leave. We discovered that we shared identities as Asian American women, as occupational therapists, and eventually as mothers. Two years later, Gayle left for her own maternity leave in the midst of the pandemic and needed extra support. Frequent conversations about balancing motherhood and everyday life planted the seed for our partnership. We realized our professional skills could guide others through tough and under appreciated transitions in motherhood.
As occupational therapists, our unique skill set equips us to break down daily tasks into manageable chunks and solve problems with a hands-on approach. We believe in the power of collaboration and focus on leveraging your (and your child’s) strengths. Let us help guide you through the transition into motherhood with the tools and confidence to be an empowered mother, do the things you enjoy, and feel like you, all at the same time.
