I am Clarissa Alves, a certified full spectrum doula and the heart behind Mooncradle Matrescence. Born in the Bronx and now rooted in New Jersey, my life has been shaped by movement, observation, and a deep sensitivity to the inner worlds of others. From an early age, I learned to listen beyond words and to recognize how much the body communicates before the mind catches up. Over time, this awareness became intentional and grounded, forming the way I move through both life and care work.
As an Afro Indigenous mother of two, my philosophy is rooted in bodily autonomy, informed consent, and reverence for the wisdom carried within each person. I believe birth and parenthood are not events to be managed, but sacred thresholds that invite transformation, choice, and agency. My understanding of this work is shaped by lived experience, ancestry, and quiet spirituality rather than urgency or control. I honor the complexity people bring with them, knowing that every body carries history, intuition, and truth.
I approach birth work as a practice of presence. I believe support should feel steady, non intrusive, and affirming, allowing families to remain connected to themselves while navigating change. I hold deep respect for all reproductive experiences, including birth, loss, abortion, and postpartum, without hierarchy or judgment. At the core of my work is the belief that no one needs to be fixed, guided, or overridden during these moments, only witnessed, informed, and trusted.
Mooncradle Matrescence was created from the belief that care can be both gentle and powerful. That autonomy is sacred. That choice is protective. And that when people are supported with honesty, compassion, and respect, they are more likely to emerge from this threshold feeling whole, grounded, and connected to themselves.
