Womens Health and Wellness in San Rafael and online in California
Moving Through the Midlife Transition
Womens Health and Wellness through Midlife in San Rafael and online in California
You've reached the middle of your life and are wondering where the years have gone. You ask yourself if this is all there is - work, kids, partner, aging parents? You've been taking care of everyone else but yourself and now you wonder what is next.
Your body, emotions and mind are all changing. While you don't have as much energy as you used to, you don't know what to do with the energy you do have. The dance from perimenopause to menopause is shaking everything up as you find yourself more irritable and reactive - sometimes at your family, your boss, the world. You want to speak your truth and you don't want to just do what is expected of you.
You worry alot, about your kid's futures, your parents as they age, your own health. You sometimes feel down, as if there is a gray cloud hanging over you. You miss feeling more optimistic and vital.
As you stand at the crossroads of midlife or have reached a milestone age, you are contemplating past choices, regrets, even losses. You are taking an inventory of what you’ve done and haven’t done. You’re deeply reflecting on your health, relationships, work, and what your soul is calling for, what truly matters to you. This is a pivotal moment for deep emotional and spiritual introspection, asking, "What's next?"
Understanding Women's Midlife Challenges
It's normal to feel both paralyzed by these midlife questions and exhilarated by the possibilities they present. You long for change but feel uncertain about where you are going. You need a space to clarify your desires, to shed the burdens and grief that have weighed you down, and to embrace the freedom to craft your best decades yet. You want to create more joy, vitality, and a deeper sense of meaning and connection.
Integrative therapy services for womens health and wellness through midlife in San Rafael and online in California
I am Michelle, a woman who has journeyed through midlife and is a licensed psychotherapist in San Rafael and on-line through the State of California. I work with women individually in therapy, and offer educational/self-exploration/support workshops, circles for women Moving through the Menopause (Moonpause) Transition.
I can help you to understand the psychospiritual changes of this midlife transition and its importance in a women’s development. To view this important transition as a “threshold, a rite of passage.” To turn inward…healing the past… and re-evaluating goals, priorities, gaining insight to emerge fully outward.
Utilizing mindfulness and compassion practices, somatic tools, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, I can provide support in managing anxiety or mood symptoms that might be occurring.
Through emotional inquiry, guided altered states practices-like guided imagery, hypnotherapy, or journeys, plus creative expression-you will better access your internal wisdom and intuition, feel more empowered, and lay down the path towards being a Wise Elder.
Don’t let this time pass you by. Allow me to support you to thrive, expand, dream and have a life with filled with more joy, soul purpose, and meaningful connection.
If you need guidance and support as you transition through midlife and the perimenopause to menopause transition, then schedule here for your free 15 minute phone consultation. We will develop a collaborative plan that supports your coping and self-development during this important transition.
My other specialties include trauma focused/somatic therapy, coping with grief and loss, supporting cancer survivors and coping with chronic illness.
FAQs for Health and Wellness-Support through the Menopause Transition
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This midlife transition is an important gateway, threshold, and rite of passage that takes place over many years. During this transition, there are physical, mental, and spiritual changes. Values and priorities may shift. There is a turning inward, a sorting through and letting go, which allows for more a authentic and expansive expression of oneself.
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Mindfulness refers to a psychological quality that involves bringing one’s complete attention to the present moment to moment experience. It may be mindfulness of a thought, emotion, sound,
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Often when we are experiencing anxiety or depression, we engage in thought patterns and behaviors that perpetuate the cycle of anxiety and depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term, goal-focused treatment that examines thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to these states, identifies tools to help with coping, and supports reframing of our thoughts to a more positive, realistic, and strength-based appraisal. I often first help you to develop body awareness and somatic tools to use with the CBT.
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Connecting to a state of non-ordinary consciousness or a liminal state may be induced through meditation, guided imagery, hypnotherapy, journey work, dreamwork, dance or other creative expression.
Guided Imagery is offered in a collaborative and interactive way vs following a prescribed script. It is designed to evoke all the senses-seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touch. It starts with inducing a relaxing, receptive state. Guided imagery may be used to guide you to some unknown parts of yourself, to help you feel more confident, or to provide guidance about a particular problem.
Hypnotherapy/Depth Hypnosis, as taught by Isa Gucciardi, PhD at the Foundation of the Sacred Stream, combines elements of Buddhism, shamanism, energy medicine, transpersonal psychology, and hypnotherapy." It is a guided, inner exploration to to access support, change unhealthy patterns, or to transform painful experiences.
Applied Shamanism is offered as taught by Isa Gucciardi, PhD at the Foundation of the Sacred Stream and from work with other teachers. Applied shamanic principles and techniques are utilized to increase self-awareness, access support, and make powerful changes in your life. From a shamanic perspective, illness is often seen as being "out of balance or dispirited," or as a loss of power.
Shamanic work often utilizes a sonic form-drumming, rattling, singing to alter perception and to connect with non-ordinary realms. Power retrievals or soul retrievals may be utilized.
You may receive the support of guides or your ancestors. You may strengthen your connection to the natural world- the animals, plants, and elements-air, fire, water, and earth for healing.
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Person-Centered Expressive Arts as developed by Natalie Rogers, PhD. The person-centered approach provides a "safe, non-judgemental, and authentic" atmosphere to explore your inner world. The use of a creative, non-verbal process can increase self-awareness and self-expression, and promote relaxation and healing. An art experience can sometimes communicate what the verbal cannot or can enrich one's experience. The focus is on the process and not on the product itself. You do not need to be an "artist" to participate. I primarily use the visual arts, writing, and movement in individual or group sessions. Or I may recommend some activities for you to do at home.