Alícia Rius: Helping Mothers Navigate the Complexities of Matrescence

Although motherhood is an exciting phase, it can also be a roller coaster of emotions. The experience can be disorienting and lead to a range of emotions, including joy, sadness, panic, and even episodes of anxiety and depression. Studies suggest that one in seven women experiences postpartum depression (PPD). Pregnancy brings about tremendous changes in a woman’s body, and while some women may experience baby blues that are quickly resolved, others may struggle with episodes of depression that hinder their ability to enjoy the phase with their newborn. Alícia Rius, like many other moms, faced challenges during this time and founded ‘The Powerful Mother’ with a goal to eliminate perinatal suffering and help women transition into motherhood happily.

The Inception of ‘The Powerful Mother’

As Alícia Rius cuddled her newborn, she expected a sense of euphoria to wash over her. Instead, she felt alone, anxious, and guilty for not living up to the expectations of a “blissful” new motherhood. When she started to talk about her experience, other mothers also felt safe to share their truth, revealing to her the universal and overwhelming after-childbirth experience.

Motivated to help eradicate perinatal suffering, Alícia became a mental health coach for women after childbirth. In 2016, she founded The Powerful Mother to provide coaching services to women for a healthier and happier transition into motherhood. The company focuses on empowering birthing parents to understand and navigate overwhelming emotions that sometimes paralyze them.

The Powerful Mother’s approach is holistic, bringing clarity, direction, and positive support to clients throughout their matrescence journey, from fertility to perinatal and maternity stages. Alícia gets incredible and transformative results by combining three main models: Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Parts Works Therapy (Internal Family Systems, IFS), and Life and Business coaching tactics.

The Challenge of Working Motherhood and Overcoming Guilt

For working mothers, balancing the responsibilities of motherhood and work can lead to feelings of guilt, especially after giving birth. Alícia notes that this can be a difficult transition, as mothers may struggle to leave their children behind when returning to work. Furthermore, she points out that working mothers may experience unconscious bias, leading to the perception that they are less competitive. In fact, studies show that 84% of working moms experience discrimination during or after returning to work.

Drawing on her 17 years of experience as a project manager, Alícia emphasizes the importance of managing time effectively and communicating challenges. She also emphasizes the importance of having support from family and loved ones. For Alícia, turning to her husband has helped her gain clarity and balance in life. As a Master’s graduate in Perinatal Mental Health, she has been helping working mothers overcome guilt and balance their responsibilities.

Helping Mothers Return to Work

One of The Powerful Mother’s main focuses is helping mothers return to work after having children. Alícia’s coaching approach depends on the mother’s personal and corporate-level challenges. At a personal level, some mothers are not ready to return to work and suffer from anxiety when thinking about separating from the baby and not trusting other caretakers. In this scenario, Alícia works on their emotions and belief systems, helping them understand their fears, reduce the intensity of paralyzing emotions, and co-create a plan for a smooth return to work experience.

True Inclusivity in the Workplace

Many companies claim to promote inclusivity, but according to Alícia, the real challenge is achieving genuine inclusivity. Paid maternity leave is just one benefit for new mothers, but they face additional mental and emotional challenges. Alícia has been collaborating with organizations to support working women in achieving their goals.

The Powerful Mother coaches companies on how to make their return-to-work policies more inclusive, supporting mothers’ needs while also understanding the benefits of a healthy and empowered workforce. By focusing on the complexities of matrescence, The Powerful Mother helps mothers navigate this emotional journey, leading to a healthier and happier motherhood experience for all.  

Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship

Alícia emphasizes the importance of aligning one’s business with their personal values and life purpose. Starting a business can be challenging and requires sacrifices, but having passion and belief in what you’re doing can keep you motivated through tough times. She encourages women to pursue entrepreneurship only if it’s something they truly believe in and aligns with their values. Alícia’s own experience as a business owner and mother of two has taught her the importance of finding a balance between personal and professional goals and staying true to oneself.