Menopause Awareness Month – Holding Space for Change, Challenge and Growth

 October is Menopause Awareness Month, a time to bring more visibility, compassion, and conversation to a life stage that so many women move through – often quietly, often unsupported.

As a person-centred counsellor, I work with women who are navigating this profound transition – physically, emotionally, and psychologically. And as a woman who has experienced menopause myself, I understand the real and often unseen impact it can have.

This isn’t just about symptoms. It’s about you – your identity, your sense of self, and how you relate to the world around you during a time of immense internal change.

My Own Journey with Menopause

For me, menopause arrived not as a sudden event but as a slow, confusing shift. I remember wondering if I was just “tired,” or “stressed,” or perhaps “just getting older.” But deep down, I knew something more was happening. The waves of emotion, the dips in energy, the feelings of being overwhelmed by things I used to take in my stride – they all began to feel louder.

There were moments I didn’t recognise myself.

And yet, as I began to understand what was happening – as I allowed myself to be more curious, more compassionate, and less critical – I started to feel grounded again. Not in the same way I had been before, but in a new way. A deeper way.

That’s also what I offer my clients: a space to explore, without judgment, what this stage of life means for you.

Menopause Through a Person-Centred Lens

In the person-centred approach, I don’t bring diagnoses, fixes, or advice unless you ask for it. What I bring is presence, empathy, and the belief that you already have within you the ability to make sense of your own experience – even if it feels confusing right now.

Menopause can challenge everything you thought you knew about yourself. But it can also be an opportunity to get to know yourself again, in a more authentic way.

Some common themes that come up in counselling around menopause include:

• “I don’t feel like myself anymore.”
• “I feel invisible.”
• “I’m so angry and I don’t know why.”
• “I just want to feel like me again.”
• “I burst into tears for no apparent reason.”

These thoughts are not unusual – and they’re not something you need to carry alone.

Some Gentle Supportive Ideas – Rooted in Self-Compassion

These aren’t “fixes,” but gentle invitations. Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t.

🌱 1. Notice Without Judging

When emotions rise – tears, anger, frustration – try simply noticing: “I feel overwhelmed right now.” No need to label it as good or bad. Just being with the feeling can ease its grip.

🌱 2. Create Space for You

Even ten minutes a day of intentional time – whether it's sitting quietly, journalling, walking, or just breathing – can reconnect you with yourself.

🌱 3. Reach Out – Even if You’re Not Sure What to Say

You don’t have to have the words figured out. Sometimes just saying, “I don’t feel right” is enough. Whether with a counsellor, friend, or partner, your voice matters.

🌱 4. Be Curious About What You Need

Are you craving rest, connection, clarity, or boundaries? Tuning into your needs can help you navigate this time more gently.

🌱 5. Educate Yourself Kindly

Understanding the physical side of menopause can be empowering – but avoid overwhelming yourself with information. Choose sources that feel kind and balanced.

Counselling as a Space to Be Truly Heard

One of the most powerful things about person-centred counselling is that you don’t have to be “sorted” to come to therapy. You don’t need a clear goal, a diagnosis, or a plan.

You just need to be willing to show up as you are.

In our work together, we might explore:

• How this life stage is affecting your identity
• Emotional shifts – sadness, anger, grief, confusion
• The changing nature of relationships
• Feeling unseen or unheard
• The desire to rediscover your voice

I won’t tell you who you should be – I’ll walk alongside you as you remember who you already are.

Final Thoughts: You Are Still You – Even When You Feel Lost

Menopause is not the end of your story – it's a turning point. A transformation. And like all transitions, it deserves care, space, and support.

If you're moving through this season of life and it feels overwhelming, know this:

💛 You are not alone.
💛 You are not "too much."
💛 You are still you – changing, yes, but never broken.

If You’d Like to Talk…

If you’re curious about how counselling might support you during this stage of life, I’d love to hear from you. You don’t need to explain everything. Just bring yourself. That’s always enough.

“The more we speak about menopause, the less women will suffer in silence.”
— Davina McCall

Some links that might be helpful:

About - The Menopause Charity

Menopause | How counselling can help

Menopause - NHS

Sabine Soosten-Church, October 2025