Counselling & Psychotherapy in
Market Deeping Peterborough
(MNCPS Accred, Hyp.dip, Ad.Dip.CP, Psysexual.Dip)
Registered Member of The National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society
Psychotherapy and Menopause
Changes in the Brain and Mind
Coping with the physical symptoms of peri-menopause and Menopause is difficult enough, but what is often not discussed so much is the psychological changes that is happening for a women going through this transition.
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Starting from the age of 35 but more commonly symptoms beginning in the early 40's, most women were not warned about the physical AND psychological 10 year changes that start to take place before (and after) periods finally stop.
What is Changing?
This isn't just necessarily about mood swings, irritability or issues relating to anxiety and depression happening at this time in life, Psychotherapy during this time is about working with the changes involved with how you as a person are changing during this time that is causes many of these symptoms.
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The neural changes taking place in the brain at this time is similar to the changes involved in puberty and pregnancy but it is suggested that this transition is even more significant in changing a person and how they are in the world.
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Often the disturbing thing for the woman is that they can feel these changes happening. It is changing your thoughts, feelings and this can affect pretty much everything in life.
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During this change, a woman's usual way of viewing the world alters and needs, wants, desires, life style, work and relationships all might need adjustment so as to work for the new woman that is emerging.
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To the woman and others in her life, these changes in personality, functioning, behaviours, thoughts and feelings can cause stress and anxiety and also low mood if the adjustment isn't going too well and this can compound distress during the process of change.
Goals for Therapy
The goals in therapy at this time of huge change, is to arrive at a place where you feel a level of contentment and positive feelings about moving forward in your life.
This isn't only about doing yoga, meditation, eating the right foods, taking HRT or anti-depressants which seems to be the only solutions suggested to women when they go exploring ways to try to help themselves, this process instead, involves an individualized journey that explains and therapeutically supports the psychological, spiritual and emotional changes and helps you navigate your own path through the process to find your most healthiest and satisfying way forward.
How Psychotherapy helps
During Psychotherapy, even if you are in the middle of full blown menopausal changes, we do not 'just discuss' your menopausal symptoms.
Therapy will be just as psychotherapy normally is, but with the added deeper understanding of the process of how the changes affects women's bodies, minds and brains and the aim is to work towards feeling more comfort, satisfaction and contentment going forward.
