Menopause Counselling
Menopause Support for Women: Navigating Physical, Emotional, and Mental Changes
Going through perimenopause and menopause can feel overwhelming, confusing, physically challenging as well as exciting and exhilarating. The experience is unique and personal to each of us and yet also universal.
You are not alone.
Trying to decipher ourselves in our menopausal bodies can feel like being a detective looking for clues about ourselves so we can gain the support, understanding, knowledge and acceptance we need.
“The changes, the highs and lows and the hormonal shifts, there is power in that. But we were taught to be ashamed of it and to not even seek to understand it or explore it for our own edification,
let alone to help the next generation. ”
-Michelle Obama
Understanding Menopause: You Are Not Alone
Menopause is a significant transition in life, yet many of us grow up with little knowledge about what to expect during this transformational time. It’s important to talk about the basics of menopause so that you feel more informed and less alone as you move through this phase.
Menopause is marked by the day a woman reaches 12 months without a menstrual period. Post-menopause refers to the time after that year, while perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause. Perimenopause typically begins between the ages of 45 and 55, though it can start in your 30s, and can last anywhere from seven to 14 years.
It’s important to understand that the symptoms of menopause—whether physical, emotional, or mental—can happen during perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and feelings of anxiety or sadness can emerge at different stages and vary in intensity. These symptoms can be overwhelming, but it’s crucial to know that they are a normal part of the process and you’re not alone in experiencing them.
Unfortunately, many women find that the medical system or society at large may dismiss or minimize their experiences during menopause. You may feel as though your symptoms are overlooked or not taken seriously, leaving you feeling isolated or misunderstood. Please know that your experience is valid, and the changes you’re going through deserve recognition and support.
You are not imagining these challenges—they are real, and it’s okay to seek the help you need.
The Emotional Impact
The emotional and mental effects of menopause can be just as challenging as the physical ones. Feelings of anger, grief, irritability, or even a decrease in self-esteem and confidence are normal. These feelings, combined with physical symptoms, can lead to stress, anxiety, hopelessness, and a fear that you may never feel like yourself again.
During perimenopause, women are at a higher risk for depression. In fact, women are twice as likely to experience depression in their lifetime, and this phase can heighten that vulnerability. Even if you’ve never had depression before, you may find yourself struggling with it during this time. It's important to recognize these feelings and know that there is help available.
You deserve care. Taking care of your mental health during menopause is essential. Therapy and mindfulness are two key options when looking to understand and reduce your symptoms.
The Opportunity for Growth
While menopause can be challenging and downright awful at times, it also brings a unique opportunity for growth. It can be an opportunity for women to discover (or rediscover) who they truly are and what they want in the world. Amid the physical and emotional challenges, there can be a shift toward listening to your own needs and desires, letting go of people-pleasing, and embracing a deeper sense of self. Though it’s not always easy, this time can open doors to personal empowerment and a newfound clarity about what truly matters.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy is a space just for you to process your emotions, at any point in your life. The strong emotions that can come along with the life stages and changes of perimenopause and menopause are no different. Therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and hypnotherapy have been specifically shown to reduce depression and anxiety in menopausal women. And sometimes, even when you’re not sure what you need, a listening and validating ear can be the most therapeutic thing of all.
How we can help
Several of everwell’s therapists work with clients experiencing the different stages of menopause, but therapist Monica Dosanjh has specific training to help clients with the challenges that arise at this time of life. Monica provides individual and couples therapy with a menopause-informed lens. If you are curious about menopause-specific therapy and how this might help you, we invite you to connect with us.
Average Cost
$160.00 ( per session )*
*Lower rates may be available through our Affordable Counselling program
Want to Know More?
Resources
The Menopause Foundation of Canada
Menopause and U - A Resource from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
References
What is Menopause? National Institute on Aging
Menopause and Mental Wellbeing National Health Service, United Kingdom
Menopausal Symptoms and Their Management National Library of Medicine