Menopause
Counselling & Psychotherapy for the Menopause
The Menopause
Through professional experience as a gynaecology nurse and psychotherapist, I am aware that the menopause can be an enormous transition. While some seem to ‘breeze through’ their menopause, for others it can dramatically affect their life negatively and challenge their ability to function as they were before. It can be turbulent, anxiety provoking and isolating, for symptoms can be misdiagnosed and research indicates a lack of GP direction.
The mind and body are intertwined and interconnected, and so physical changes at this time can also instigate psychological suffering. Furthermore, the difficulty of suffering with these physical symptoms, impacts you psychologically.
Common symptoms of the menopause include:
- Anxiety
- Changes in mood – such as low mood or irritability
- Feelings of loss of self
- Loss of self-confidence
- Difficulty sleeping, this may make you feel tired and irritable during the day
- Discomfort during sex and reduced sex drive
- Hair loss or thinning
- Headaches or migraines
- Hot flushes - short, sudden feelings of heat, usually in the face, neck and chest, which can make your skin red and sweaty
- Joint stiffness, aches and pains
- Night sweats - hot flushes that occur at night
- Palpitations - heartbeats that suddenly become more noticeable
- Problems with memory, concentration and ‘brain fog’
- Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI's)
- Urge and stress incontinence
Feel Empowered and Take Back Control
As a nurse, midwife and health visitor, I have a specialist interest in women’s health. I am passionately committed to making this natural stage of life a positive experience for women who are psychologically struggling. I firmly believe that with the right therapeutic support, your menopause experience could be transformed into one of personal growth and self-empowerment as you take back control. The NICE guidelines (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) and the British Menopause Society recommend CBT as a non-medical treatment for the symptoms of the menopause, for it changes the way you think and behave.
Menopause Counselling & Psychotherapy
Therapeutically, my treatment plan for the menopause will be tailored for you and your unique needs. This will incorporate CBT, Integrative psychotherapy and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).You will gain valuable tools, to manage your symptoms, such as anxiety, thereby promoting a more positive mindset. A space will be created where you can truly explore the difficulties you are having and feel supported and understood, opposed to feeling isolated. Your emotional well-being and also your self-esteem will be promoted, instigating a sense of renewed empowerment to live a happier and healthier life.
The biggest step is acknowledging that you are struggling with the emotional and physical difficulties of the menopause and require support. Reach out and arrange an initial 15-20 minutes consultation, so that we can collaboratively and comfortably work together towards your desired goal of feeling more like yourself again.
