There may be times when changes in your body, relationships or responsibilities leave you feeling less like yourself. You might be navigating a hormonal or reproductive transition, uncertainty around fertility, or the emotional effects of a reproductive experience. You may also be trying to understand your own needs while managing expectations about who you should be and what you should be able to carry.

Women's mental health is shaped by more than any one life stage. Physical health, sleep, relationships, culture, identity and the demands of caring for others can all be part of the picture. Hormonal changes may contribute for some people, but they do not explain every difficult feeling. In therapy, I can help you explore what is happening in your particular circumstances, with space for experiences that may have been minimised, misunderstood or difficult to put into words.

Experiences you might recognise: ‍

• Persistent worry, low mood or feeling more irritable than usual.

• Feeling emotionally unsettled during hormonal or reproductive changes.

• Sadness, grief or uncertainty around fertility or reproductive experiences.

• Feeling exhausted by caring responsibilities or other people's expectations.

• Changes in sleep or concentration that make daily life harder to manage.

• Feeling disconnected from your body, identity or sense of what you want.

• Guilt about needing rest, support or time for yourself.

• Strain in relationships, or difficulty finding room for your own needs.

• Intense mood swings with thoughts and feelings that do not feel in line with who you are, including suicidal ideation.

If you are thinking about suicide or finding it hard to stay safe, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13YARN on 13 92 76 for immediate support.

Support can begin with what matters to you, whatever your relationship with fertility, parenthood or caring roles. Where mood changes sit alongside physical symptoms, a GP can help assess the medical aspects.

However I can appreciate that women’s health concerns can often be dismissed by the medical system. I encourage you to seek alternative opinions if you feel like your GP is not hearing you. I am happy to provide recommendations for GPs if you do not feel supported.

For further reading, see Beyondblue’s overview of women’s mental health and read about Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

What an initial session focused on women’s mental health looks like:

It will be different depending on what you’re experiencing. Someone coming in due to fertility difficulties will be different to someone experiencing PMDD or going through menopause. What’s common is exploring what’s changed for you, when you’re noticing these changes and what parts still feel like you. We’ll unpack what your experiences have been with the people around you so far and what support you feel is missing. We’ll work towards understanding what’s going on for you and find ways to get back in touch with yourself or making space for the new.