Overwhelmed?

The changes that occur during the perimenopausal and menopausal years can significantly impact a woman's sense of well-being in several areas. Marked changes in hormones and neurotransmitters initiate these experiences. The effects of these changes vary but often include disrupted sleep, increased fatigue, decreased resilience, changes in weight and strength, increased pain, worsening mood, feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, or irritable. The demands of life have not lessened; for many women, managing the needs of family, career, children, and health has increased during these years. The ability to balance and meet those demands can feel increasingly stressful. The impact of menopause on women's mental health has been underrecognized for years; thankfully, that is beginning to change.

Psychotherapy can help you understand and recognize what is happening, offer stress reduction techniques, consider lifestyle changes, and identify strategies to cope better. It can be an invitation to take better care of yourself, revise the script of your life, and focus on who you have yet to become.

Let's talk about it.

Let’s be honest, there’s probably a lot going on for you right now, and how the hormonal shifts of mid-life are impacting your ability to cope may not have even entered your mind. In my practice, I help you understand how these hormonal shifts are impacting your ability to respond and cope the way you normally would. I use interventions that can get you closer to where you’d like to be. Cognitive therapy, psycho-education, and possible lifestyle changes can help you better understand and cope with these changes. A consultation with a medical menopause specialist is recommended; I can provide referrals. Other ways to support yourself during this time involve seeking help from a nutritionist and maintaining a good exercise regimen to support bone strength, which are key elements in navigating these years more successfully. Contact me to learn more about how psychotherapy can help you navigate this chapter of your life.