When we enter perimenopause, our bodies, minds and souls begin preparation for the end of our “reproductive years” and for a new chapter to begin. This is huge. In part III of this series on perimenopause and mental health, we’ll talk about trusting yourself and seeking out the specialized care you deserve.

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When we enter perimenopause, our bodies, minds and souls begin preparation for the end of our “reproductive years” and for a new chapter to begin. This is huge.

Here, we leave the known and enter an in-between space where we may stay for up to a decade. Perimenopause quite literally means: “around menopause.” It’s a time that may be shrouded in uncomfortable symptoms and shame/discomfort with getting older. Understandably, many women experience grief, irritability and feelings of isolation. In fact, women in perimenopause are at higher risk of experiencing mental health challenges. But what if we change the narrative and create a different experience for women?

For many of our generations, the topic of perimenopause/menopause was never discussed, and if it was, it was hush-hush, referred to cryptically or as fodder for jokes. Talking about perimenopause openly in the context of women’s health is a new development. And long over due.

This is the first of a series of blog posts that will explore cultivating wellness during perimenopause and reclaiming a rite of passage that has been minimized and/or over-medicalized.

For better or worse the holidays shine a light on all that's there and all that's not.

Anger, irritability, sadness, grief and anxiety are all common (and understandable) feelings. We’re inundated with the Hollywood version of what the holidays are meant to feel and look like, and the bar is just too dang high ….

One of the most common concerns I hear from the women I work with in my psychotherapy practice is a feeling of unexplained fatigue. It’s not a run-of-the-mill fatigue, mind you. My clients describe their experiences as a deep, bone-tired feeling. I’ve heard it described as soul tired.

It’s the kind of tired that is not easily remedied by more sleep or a day of self-care. And it leaves women feeling like they are somehow failing at life because they are constantly exhausted … What we’re talking about here is emotional labor. Let’s discuss.

As a spiritually-oriented psychotherapist and expressive arts therapist for women, one of my favorite tools to share with clients is ritual. Ritual can be powerful, creative and … fun. (Yes, it’s true - therapy an be enjoyable!)

While the term ritual often gets conflated with solemn religious traditions or Woo-Woo gatherings, both of which can be hugely supportive, and of which I have often participated btw, ritual can really be any activity that is infused with intention and is meaningful to the person performing it. It's another approach to working with the symbolic, not unlike making art or using guided imagery in therapeutic work.

At one point or another in our journeys something (or sometimes many things) happen to make it feel like our lives are falling apart at the seams. You may question your safety, security, relationships or identity. These moments are seminal …

If you are reading this, I imagine you have experienced a time or times like this in your life. Or perhaps you’re going through one now. I’m glad you’ve found your way here. These times in our lives are vulnerable and raw, and so very human. In this post we’re going to talk about how to find your footing when life has brought you to your knees.

One of the most common experiences I hear from clients is one of wanting, craving connection. Sometimes the context is romantic partnership, but just as often it is about cultivating more meaningful friendships or intentional community as an adult woman. After all, we are wired for connection. Without it, it’s common to experience feelings of anxiety, sadness and hopelessness.

So why is it so hard to make friends as adult? ….

Does tarot really constitute therapy? I get this question a lot – from students, clients and other professionals. So much so that I thought it was important to write a specific blog post to address the topic.

I’ve learned that not only is online therapy comparable to in-person therapy in terms of efficacy, but in many cases online feminist therapy is optimal for the women and girls I work with. While my clients navigate anxiety, stress and trauma symptoms they also lead rich, full lives and struggle to make time to care for themselves.

Online therapy offers accessibility and comfort for clients who are able to receive support while cozied up from their homes. Better yet, with a blanket and cup of tea in their hands!

Maybe you've been intrigued by the use of tarot cards and have yet to explore this powerful tool, or perhaps you've dabbled and would like to explore more. Come join us for a playful, hands-on introductory workshop focused on self-inquiry and personal growth through the practice of tarot.

This event will be held at the serene Sojourn Healing Collective in San Diego.

Oh, hello. I see you out there. It’s the beginning of a new year and you’ve hit the ground running. You’ve always got so much to do. Whether it’s a task for work, social event, family obligation or creative project. Yup, your ambition is epic (though you don’t give yourself enough credit). And your to-do list reflects that. I get it. After all, game recognizes game.

But I also see you tired and uninspired. It’s rare you get a good night’s sleep and that muscle tension in your neck and shoulders … well, it never seems to go away. You feel on edge most of the time. And you’ve begun to lose interest in things you once enjoyed.

Most of us have experienced a dose of toxic positivity at one time or another. It tends to happen in the most vulnerable moments when we're feeling down or worried, reach out to a friend or family member for comfort and instead get a message like this: think positive or it could be worse. If you find experiences like these disheartening, you're not alone …

No matter what the issue, big decisions and transitions can feel daunting and one of my favorite things to talk about with clients is growing our ability to trust ourselves when challenges like these arise. That’s because I really do believe we already have the answers we seek, though sometimes we have difficulty accessing them or even trusting ourselves in the process …

Anyone who is familiar with my work as a therapist knows that I am a fan of interventions that (a) focus on client strengths and (b) are creative and often outside the box.

Like so many of you, I am still reeling from the Supreme Court decision to take away a women’s fundamental right to reproductive healthcare. Make no mistake about it: Roe’s overturn was another collective trauma.

I can't tell you how many times a week I hear from clients, "I had a feeling" or "I knew better," and yet something stands in the way of them listening to their intuition when making important decisions.

To contextualize the phenomena, I want to say first that I believe we are all conditioned in varying degrees to discount our intuition because our patriarchal culture values more 'logical' or 'rational' ways of decision-making. With this in mind, using your intuition and trusting your inner-knowing is actually form of social rebellion. And who doesn't want to be a rebel!?

If you're feeling crispy around the edges these days – checked out and exhausted - you're not alone.

For good reason, discussion of burnout is becoming more and more common in mainstream and social media, workplace environments and amongst friends and family. For sure, burnout is having a moment and the conversation is long overdue.

Believe it or not sensitivity is a real-life super power, though I get it may not always feel that way. Why would it when you’ve probably been asked more times than you care to remember: Why are you so sensitive? As if sensitivity is a deficit or something to be ashamed of.

Let’s take a collective deep breath. Here we are in the wake of another dystopian news cycle and it’s leaving folks feeling hopeless, filled with grief, rage, and even numb.