Menopause counselling and support

The stages of menopause will be unique to every woman

Many of us aren’t even aware that we are going through it, until it devastates our lives. Menopause is often talked about as a single moment, but for most women it is a long transition. Perimenopause, the years leading up to your final period, can begin in your early forties or even earlier, and the changes it brings can arrive quietly and build over time. Symptoms can continue after menopause itself, too.

Because the changes can be gradual and so varied, it is easy to put them down to stress, age or simply “not coping”. Many women going through this transition have spent a long time blaming themselves for something that was never their fault.

Are you struggling to understand or manage the many symptoms and emotions that this transition can bring?

Women come to see me with a wide range of experiences, including:

• anxiety, sometimes appearing for the first time in their lives
• low mood, tearfulness or depression
• feelings of loss and grief — for fertility, for youth, for the person they used to be
• exhaustion and broken sleep
• brain fog and a loss of confidence at work
• irritability or anger that feels out of character
• strain in relationships, or a changed sense of intimacy
• physical symptoms such as aching limbs, headaches and insomnia

These experiences are real, and they deserve to be taken seriously.

You are not alone. Let’s work through this together

Counselling offers a space to make sense of what is happening, to be heard without judgement, and to find ways of looking after yourself through this stage of life. Together we might:

• untangle what is hormonal, what is circumstantial and what is longer-standing
• work with anxiety, low mood and the loss of confidence that often come with this transition
• explore the grief and identity questions that menopause can raise
• practise breath, body awareness and mindfulness to calm the nervous system
• think about boundaries, rest and how you spend your time and energy
• prepare for conversations with your GP, your partner or your employer

I draw on my integrative training, my background as a yoga teacher and the neuroscience-based coaching of The Heart Mind Body Solution to support the whole of you: heart, mind and body.

My own experience

I have been truly horrified by the horrendous experiences that some of my female clients are going through, on their journeys through the stages of Menopause. Presenting with anxiety, depression, loss and grief, exhaustion, as well as physical symptoms such as aching limbs, headaches and insomnia. Most of these women have been suffering for years, and have not had Menopause diagnosed. This means that on top of all these symptoms, there is fear and a complete lack of support.

It is only after four such years myself, that I finally recognised what was happening to me. That I wasn’t terminally ill or going completely mad! It has not been a straightforward treatment path, but I am managing the symptoms better, getting support and some days, even embracing the slower pace that my body and soul need right now.

Who knows, one day, when I have looked after myself well enough, I will look back and thank goodness for this time that has helped me re-evaluate where and how I spend my time and energy.

Menopause, relationships and work

The effects of menopause rarely stay with one person. Partners may not understand what is changing, and you may not have the words to explain it. Children, ageing parents and work pressures often peak at the same time, leaving very little room for you. At work, brain fog, poor sleep and anxiety can shake the confidence of women who have always felt capable and in control.

Counselling can help you find the words for what you are experiencing, set kinder boundaries and ask for what you need, whether that is support at home or adjustments at work. Some women find it useful to bring a partner to a session, or to consider couples therapy, so that you can face this transition together rather than apart.

Working alongside your GP

I am a counsellor, not a doctor, so I don’t give medical advice. If you think you may be perimenopausal or menopausal, I would always encourage you to speak to your GP about your symptoms and about treatment options such as HRT. Counselling works well alongside medical care: while your GP looks after the physical side, our sessions can support you with the emotional impact, the uncertainty, and the adjustments this stage of life can ask of you.

What to expect

We begin with a free discovery call by phone, where you can tell me a little about what you are going through and ask any questions. In our first session we will talk about how you have been feeling, what support you already have, and what you would most like help with. We will agree together how often to meet and review how things are going as we go along.

Practicalities

• Where: in person at my practice in Sandhurst, Berkshire, or online by Zoom anywhere in the UK — helpful if fatigue makes travelling harder
• Length: 50-minute sessions
• Frequency: usually weekly, with regular reviews
• Fees: £120 per session — see prices

You can also follow me on Instagram at @menopausetherapist for reflections and support.

Reach out

You don’t have to navigate this on your own. Book a free discovery call and let’s talk about how I can support you.