How Can Counseling Help you Through Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is a whirlwind of change, and for many women, it can feel more like a tornado. You might notice yourself feeling exhausted all of the time, getting angry for no reason, noticing uncomfortable changes in your body, and pulling away from people you love. Some days, it might even feel like your body and mind are working against you. You might start to feel hopeless, like this is just the new normal, and you have to just get used to it.
The truth is, finding a great place to process your experience can be hugely helpful during this season of life. Counseling can be a game-changer. It’s not just about talking through your feelings, it’s about understanding them, developing strategies to manage them, and gaining support in a phase of life that’s often overlooked. Here are some of the most meaningful benefits I have seen for my clients in perimenopause:
Connection is Key: During perimenopause, a lot of women feel isolated. They might not recognize their struggles as symptoms of perimenopause, and think that they just have a bad attitude. Thoughts like, “Is this just me?” or “Why doesn’t anyone talk about this?” are not uncommon. Hormonal changes can also intensify your emotions, making even everyday stressors feel much heavier.
Talking to a therapist provides a safe space to explore these feelings without judgment. It’s a place where you can share your experiences, ask questions, and feel validated. Simply knowing that what you’re going through is real, and that you have a trusted ally through the twists and turns of this season can be incredibly comforting. Therapy reminds you that perimenopause is a natural transition, and you don’t have to go through it alone.
Being Empowered: Perimenopause symptoms can be confusing and sometimes frustrating to explain to doctors. Irregular periods, hot flashes, anxiety, or mood swings aren’t always taken seriously - or can be mistaken for something else. Counseling helps you clarify what’s happening, putting words to your experiences so you can advocate for yourself effectively.
A therapist can help you identify which symptoms matter most to you, prepare questions for your doctor, and build the confidence to speak up about your needs. When you feel supported emotionally, you’re more empowered to take control of your physical health too.
A Deeper Understanding: Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and even depression are common during perimenopause, and they can feel overwhelming. Therapy provides tools to help you understand and manage these emotional shifts.
In therapy, you can explore how hormonal changes impact your mood and identify patterns in your thoughts and behaviors. Counseling can teach you strategies that help you regain a sense of calm and control. Over time, therapy can help you respond to emotional challenges more skillfully, instead of feeling ruled by them.
Practical Tools: Therapy isn’t just about talking, it’s also about taking action. A counselor can help you create practical coping and communication strategies for the psychological symptoms of perimenopause, like anxiety, relationship issues, low self-esteem, bad body image, brain fog, and sleep problems.
These tools don’t just help you survive perimenopause—they help you thrive through it.
Be Kinder to Yourself: Perimenopause is a period of transition, and transitions can be challenging. Therapy helps you develop self-compassion, reminding you that it’s okay to ask for help and prioritize your mental health.
By exploring your experiences in a supportive environment, you can shift from feeling frustrated or overwhelmed to feeling empowered and informed. You learn to listen to your body, advocate for your health, and approach emotional changes with understanding rather than judgment.
Counseling for perimenopause is often overlooked in conversations about women’s health, yet it’s an essential resource for a time that can deeply impact quality of life. If you’re experiencing perimenopause, consider reaching out for support. You deserve to feel heard, understood, and empowered during this transition.