MenoPAUSE Therapeutic Support Group

"Menopause is ubiquitous, so why is it often stigmatized and ignored?"

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Starting in May 2024...

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As mental health professionals, we have identified puberty, pregnancy, and menopause as three windows of vulnerability for women. 

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Menopause is divided into three basic stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. During this time, the ovaries begin to atrophy which causes a decline in the production of the hormones that stimulate the menstrual cycle; estrogen and progesterone.

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For many women, none of these stages feels much like a PAUSE. In fact, women experience a lot of action during this major time of transition (that lasts an average of seven years). Here are just a few ways you may be impacted...

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Additionally, some women identify with almost a quarter of Americans called the “sandwich generation”, middle-aged adults who are simultaneously raising children (or grandchildren) and supporting aging parents.

For some women, menopause coincides with the experience penned "empty-nester", with young adult children leaving for college or the workforce.

Women in this age bracket are typically at the height of their careers, maybe weighing the merits of a job change or retirement to allow for more personal time, or to attend to the many physical and psychological changes.

This crucial transition in women takes a lot of endurance. Yet, these experiences are rarely talked about. Men and younger people cannot fully relate. Doctors shrug their shoulders at suffering they deem inevitable.

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Join other women like you for a time of grieving, support, reflection, healing and empowerment.

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Learn about healthy aging - Diet, Exercise, Relaxation, Sleep and Purpose

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Reach out if you would like to join one of my weekly groups. LGBTQ+ inclusive.

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Details:

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• Meets weekly in small groups (in-person) at Pearl Street office in downtown Napa

• Sessions are 60 minutes, and include a mix of sharing with peers and therapist/coach as well as learning skills around coping, communication and resilience + psychoeducation on relevant topics*

• Between Session check-in prompts and session-specific content emailed to you to help you maintain progress toward your goals

• 3 month (twelve week) commitment, renewable 

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*Examples of educational content addressed:

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• Definition, changes leading up to menopause

• Life changes, explore women’s feelings toward menopause

• Mood changes: depression, anxiety

• Sleep Problems

• Hair/skin dryness

• Memory and brain fog

• Health scares: Cancer risk (breast, gynecological, colon), screening; Osteoporosis: screening, role of calcium and vitamin D, risk factors, treatment options; Heart disease and women; risk factors, screenings; Genitourinary syndrome of menopause

• Vasomotor symptoms

• HRT

• Nonhormonal options

• Weight Gain/Body Image: nutrition, pharmaceutical, exercise, herbals

• Hot flashes: Gabapentin, vitamins

• Mental health therapies, mindfulness practices and medications to address mood changes and stress

• Nutrition

• Supplements

• Hypoactive sexual desire disorder

• Growth and acceptance