Expert mental health consultation

Gen X & beyond: Perimenopause, menopause, chronic & complex illness care

The rhythm of New York City can be intense, and women navigating this fast pace are often also managing high levels of stress, limbic system impairment, dysregulated nervous system, and chronic health challenges, including hormonal imbalances such as perimenopause and menopause. in a medical system that regularly fails us. I offer Highly individualized women’s Therapy for the management of chronic stress, Chronic or complex Illnesses, chronic pain, mystery illnesses, perimenopause, and menopause transitions, leading to empowerment and enhanced quality of life.

Women face unique challenges that can make them more vulnerable to both mental health issues and chronic physical conditions. Women facing a combination of chronic stress, trauma, chronic illnesses, complex or "mystery" illnesses, chronic pain, and hormonal transitions are particularly vulnerable to developing mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Conversely, mental health problems and unresolved trauma can also increase the risk of chronic physical health conditions. The interplay between mental, emotional, and physical health is particularly pronounced in women due to biological, psychological, and social factors. When women engage with therapy and their support systems, their health and quality of life improve. Such support offers indispensable tools for effectively helping women manage the intricacies of chronic pain and medical conditions.

Coaching and consultations for perimenopause, along with support for chronic health conditions, provides women with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate both hormonal changes and ongoing health challenges. As a mental health expert, I help women understand the impact of perimenopause on their body and emotions, offering practical strategies for managing symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, and pain. With education and referrals to hormone specialists and other experts, You’ll receive comprehensive care that addresses both hormonal fluctuations and chronic health issues. This holistic approach empowers women to not just cope, but thrive during perimenopause and beyond.

carrying on despite the struggle?

Yes, it’s entirely possible for women, especially those navigating perimenopause, menopause, or chronic health conditions, to appear emotionally stable and thriving on the outside while struggling internally. Many women mask their emotional struggles due to societal expectations, fear of vulnerability, or a desire to protect themselves and others from the weight of their challenges. This phenomenon, known as "masking" or "emotional masking," involves putting on a façade of being okay while silently dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, or the emotional turmoil that can come with hormonal shifts and chronic health issues.

This ability to seem "fine" while feeling like a "mess" inside is often linked to "high-functioning" mental health conditions, where women continue to manage daily responsibilities and appear outwardly successful, even though they’re deeply struggling with the emotional and physical changes of perimenopause, menopause, or a chronic health condition.

It’s crucial to recognize that appearances can be deceiving, and emotional well-being is complex, often hidden beneath surface-level behaviors. Women excel at persevering, pushing through despite overwhelming internal struggles until they can no longer continue. Therapy can be incredibly beneficial for women who feel the need to "fake it" or maintain a composed exterior despite their emotional pain. In a supportive environment, therapy helps women explore the underlying emotions, thoughts, and hormonal factors they may be masking, guiding them to develop healthier coping mechanisms, cultivate self-compassion, and embrace vulnerability. Over time, therapy empowers women to move from merely surviving to truly thriving, addressing their emotional needs, building resilience, and finding authenticity in both their inner and outer worlds.

How Can Psychologists & Other Mental Health Professionals Help You With Your mental Health struggles?

Mental health professionals with hormonal expertise are often the first point of contact for struggling women and experts in helping people cope with the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that accompany chronic stress, pain, hormonal transitions and illness. Patients with chronic pain and illness may be referred to mental health professionals by other health care providers. They can help you accept and better manage your pain and suffering using a range of helpful therapeutic modalities, working alongside your medical care team. These transitions often bring a mix of physical symptoms, hormonal fluctuations, and emotional turmoil, making it difficult for women to navigate the changes on their own. Mental health professionals can provide a safe, supportive environment where women can explore their emotions, reduce anxiety, and process the impact of these life changes. By offering therapeutic techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, somatic practices, EMDR and stress management strategies, therapists can help women manage mood swings, depression, and anxiety that may arise during these transitions. They can also help women cope with the added stress of chronic health conditions, guiding them in building resilience and self-compassion. By addressing both the emotional and physical aspects of perimenopause, menopause, and complex health conditions, mental health professionals can empower women to regain control, foster well-being, and improve their overall quality of life.

Factors Contributing to Increased Vulnerability in Women:

Hormonal Transitions

Women undergo several significant hormonal transitions throughout life that can affect both physical and mental health:

• Puberty - The hormonal shifts during puberty can trigger mood swings, anxiety, and depression, especially in girls who are predisposed to these conditions.

• Pregnancy and Postpartum - Pregnancy brings about dramatic hormonal changes, and some women experience postpartum depression (PPD) after childbirth, characterized by extreme sadness, anxiety, and mood disturbances.

• Perimenopause and Menopause - The decline in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels during perimenopause and menopause can contribute to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression. Many women report an increase in sleep disturbances, hot flashes, and physical discomfort, just a few of the many symptoms related to hormonal transitions, all of which can exacerbate emotional distress.

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress can be a significant risk factor for both physical and mental health problems. Women are more likely than men to experience chronic stress related to caregiving responsibilities, work-life balance, financial pressures, and social expectations. Chronic stress activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, and when this state persists, it can lead to long-term health problems:

• Mental Health Impact - Prolonged stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.

• Physical Health Impact - Chronic stress has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, weakened immune function, gastrointestinal issues, and a range of other chronic illnesses.

Trauma and Unresolved Emotional Pain

Women are disproportionately affected by certain types of trauma, including sexual and domestic violence, childhood abuse, and emotional neglect. Unresolved trauma can deeply affect both mental and physical health. Trauma may cause:

• Mental Health Issues - Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.

• Physical Health Impact - Trauma is associated with higher rates of chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, digestive issues, and even cardiovascular problems. The physiological effects of trauma can influence the brain's stress response, which can impact the rest of the body.

Chronic Illness, Complex Illness, and Mystery Illness

Women are more likely than men to suffer from a variety of chronic, complex, or poorly understood illnesses (often referred to as "mystery illnesses"). Conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), autoimmune diseases, and endometriosis can be particularly challenging for women, both because they are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, and because the symptoms can overlap with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

• Physical Health Impact - These conditions may involve chronic pain, fatigue, digestive problems, and neurological symptoms. The lack of understanding and validation of these conditions often leads to frustration, isolation, and mental health struggles.

• Mental Health Impact - The constant struggle to manage symptoms, often in the face of skepticism, medical gaslighting, or misunderstanding from healthcare providers and loved ones, can lead to feelings of hopelessness, depression, and anxiety. The fear of not being believed or receiving inadequate care can also exacerbate emotional distress.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain, whether due to conditions like arthritis, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, or neuropathy, is not only physically debilitating but also psychologically taxing. Women with chronic pain often experience:

• Mental Health Impact - Chronic pain is closely linked to depression, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness. Pain can create a vicious cycle: physical pain leads to emotional distress, which, in turn, can make the pain seem worse or harder to manage.

• Physical Health Impact - Chronic pain can interfere with sleep, exercise, and daily activities, leading to further physical deconditioning and exacerbating both physical and emotional symptoms.

Medical Illnesses and Their Intersections with Mental Health

Chronic and complex illnesses often do not exist in isolation—they may interact with each other, making diagnosis and treatment more complicated. For example:

• Cancer

• Long Covid & Post-Vaccination Syndrome (PVS)

• Chronic & Complex Illness (including ME/CFS, POTS, EDS, MCAS, histamine intolerance, dysautonomia, etc.)

• Fibromyalgia

• Hormonal dysregulation or deficiency

• Autoimmune disorders (Hashimoto’s, Sjogren’s, and Rheumatoid Arthritis, as examples)

• Gastrointestinal/microbiome health (SIBO, IBS)

• Gut/brain disorders

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

• Neuropathic pain

• Headache and migraine conditions

• Endometriosis, PCOS, CPID, and other women’s health conditions 

The Bidirectional Relationship Between women’s Mental and Physical Health

There’s a complex bidirectional relationship between mental and physical health, where one exacerbates the other. Women experiencing unresolved trauma or mental health disorders like anxiety or depression are at greater risk for developing chronic health problems due to:

• Chronic Stress - As noted earlier, mental health issues can cause chronic stress, which in turn can worsen physical health conditions.

• Limbic System Impairment, Dysregulated Nervous System, Inflammation, and Immune Dysregulation - Psychological stress and trauma have been shown to increase inflammation in the body and impair the nervous system, which can worsen conditions like autoimmune diseases and chronic pain.

• Disrupted Sleep - Both physical pain and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression can lead to disrupted sleep patterns, further contributing to fatigue and reduced immune function.

Addressing the Whole Person in individualized women’s therapy

Given the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, women dealing with these challenges benefit from a holistic, integrated approach to care. A multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers—including medical doctors, mental health professionals, and complementary therapists—can address these conditions' physical and psychological aspects. Here are some key strategies:

• Integrated Care - Combining physical and mental health treatments is crucial. For example, a woman with chronic pain may benefit from both pain management treatments (such as physical therapy or medication) and psychotherapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or trauma-focused therapy).

• Trauma-Informed Care - For women with unresolved trauma, trauma-informed care that recognizes the link between emotional trauma and physical illness is vital.

• Lifestyle Adjustments - Exercise, stress management, mindfulness, and healthy eating can all support both physical and mental health. Practices like yoga or meditation are particularly helpful for reducing stress and improving mood.

• Support Systems - Building strong social support networks and seeking out peer support groups can provide emotional validation and reduce the sense of isolation that often accompanies chronic illness and mental health struggles.

The intersection of chronic stress, illness, trauma, and mental health in women is complex and deeply impactful. Addressing these issues requires a compassionate, multifaceted approach that considers both physical and emotional health. If you’re working with someone going through these challenges—or if you’re navigating them yourself—it’s essential to approach the situation with patience, understanding, and a commitment to holistic care. Women struggling with chronic illness might lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. It can interfere with your relationships and result in feelings of loneliness. Working with an experienced therapist who specializes in treating individuals with chronic illnesses can help you lead a full and meaningful life. Here are some examples of how your therapist might help you:

• Learn coping skills for reducing depression, anxiety, ADHD and other symptoms

• Provide a safe space for you to process your feelings and emotions related to your illness

• Increase your capacity to engage in the activities and relationships that are meaningful to you

• Support you to advocate for yourself and adhere to your treatment plan

• Develop your social support system

• Help you accept your illness without letting it define you

• Help you reduce anxiety about medical settings and treatment

• Resolve your medical trauma

• Address unresolved trauma that may be a root cause of your illness(s)

• Develop self-care strategies and boundaries that support your health

• Provide referrals for psychiatric providers when necessary to help manage co-occurring mental health problems

Hormonal transitions & Women’s mental health

Mental health providers are often the first point of contact for women struggling with hormone-related mental health concerns. I offer Assessment & guidance to support the Optimal Mental health of women in their mid-wife and beyond, because your therapist, psychologist, or doctors may not fully understand the menopausal transition and the global impact it has on your whole-body well-being. psychologists And other licensed mental health professionals can help women during this time through psychoeducation, evidence-based interventions, lifestyle interventions, treating cognitive symptoms, assessing sexual health, and health care provider referrals.

Hormonal transitions are a time when pre-existing mental health challenges like anxiety and depression can worsen. Many women enter therapy because of new symptoms related to a change in their hormonal status. Neurotransmitter levels can be directly affected by changes and the depletion of sex hormones. I partner with my NY counseling clients to help them become their best health advocates and feel empowered as they navigate the confusing and often outdated information they receive from their medical providers regarding menopause. If your mental health status has changed alongside your hormones, speaking to an experienced and informed mental health professional is essential.

If your doctor tells you that your new and disturbing symptoms are “normal and just part of getting older,” please fire that doctor, and find one who is trained to value your need for knowledge and the quality of your life going forward. You have a right to be fully informed and to make wise decisions about your health and mental well-being. If your doctor is not up-to-date, and most are not, it’s time to find a hormone expert to help you through this journey. You may also need to empower yourself with research and learn to advocate for yourself.

How do women’s hormonal changes impact wellbeing?

Hormones impact all aspects of your well-being, including your mental health. This is the case from the onset of puberty, pregnancy, and beyond menopause. If you are approaching mid-life you may notice changes in your energy, mood, and general health and well-being. Many women, often beginning mid to late 30’s, begin to experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, brain fog, low energy, and so much more. This time of life is called peri-menopause and can last 10-15 years before their cycles end. The impact of deficient and erratic hormones is system-wide, with at least 35+ (some would say as many as 100+) changes occurring. As a licensed mental health provider, I see women who present in therapy with anxiety, panic, insomnia, depression and overwhelm. Sadly, most are dismissed by their gynecologists or primary care doctors. Yes of course they have other stressors in their lives but their resilience has changed because of hormonal changes and depletion. Too many women suffer needlessly during this transition; there is not enough research, education, and validation for this very real struggle.

How do hormones impact women’s mental health?

Women have receptors for sex hormones throughout the body and brain, and neurotransmitters are directly impacted by the changes and depletion of hormones. We know that estrogen has protective effects against psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia because of its modulating effect on neurotransmitters, especially dopamine. Some women have their first presentation of schizophrenia at menopause. It makes sense that many women develop mental health symptoms, or have an existing condition exacerbated with hormonal surges, fluctuations, and depletion. Postpartum depression is the result of the dramatic decline in estrogen and progesterone following delivery. It’s an important and timely discussion for women to have with their doctors, who may or may not understand this unfortunately. It’s important to pay attention to what’s happening in your body.

Like many mental health professionals, I learned very little about the impact of hormones on mental health in graduate school and beyond. Psychologists and mental health professionals are often the first line of contact for women who are suffering from hormonal changes and yet they are woefully undereducated about hormone transitions. Most women who present to their doctors with mental health concerns at this time of life are sent home with a prescription for CBT therapy, antidepressants, and other drugs that do not address the root cause of their struggles. Rarely is hormonal supplementation discussed as an option to restore neurotransmitter functioning.

Even though menopause is not considered a disorder or disease state, it sure can feel like it for many women who suffer symptoms related to a hormonal life-phase and following ovarian failure.

A mental health expert who is hormone savvy can provide you with an assessment and resources, so you can feel well before, during, and in the years that follow menopause. As a licensed mental health professional with a private practice in Manhattan, I see many women who begin to have complaints, feel “off” or struggle with anxiety and depression. Many women seek treatment and have their first presentation of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and difficulty coping around the time of perimenopause and menopause, whether natural, premature, or medically induced after a hysterectomy or chemotherapy. Sadly, the medical profession has been slow to make these important connections for women, largely because women’s health is under-researched, and women experience shame as a result of our youth-obsessed culture, therefore, they suffer in silence. Women are becoming informed (perhaps social media plays a part), and learning to advocate for their health and well-being. Suffering as a result of “medical gaslighting” and tolerating suffering is no longer an option for women who prioritize and desire a more satisfying quality of life.

Are you struggling with mental health challenges such as anxiety, Panic, brain fog, insomnia and mood swings as you enter perimenopause or menopause?

Perimenopause and menopause naturally occur for all women between the ages of 40 to 55. It also occurs prematurely in young women, and medically, as a result of hysterectomy and/or chemotherapy. As ovaries begin to fail, women experience a depletion in the female reproductive hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. It is believed that seventy percent of women experience these changes in their 40s. These women are likely raising families, taking care of elderly parents, and/or working. Some common symptoms include anxiety, depression, insomnia, brain fog, and memory issues, all of which have a negative emotional and psychological effect on the quality of their lives. It’s not just estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone that declines at this time. Many other important hormonal systems are disrupted during this very stressful time, including changes in cortisol, thyroid, and more.

Common complaints at medical menopause, premature menopause, perimenopause, menopause and the years beyond the transition: (You may have none of these, some, many, or nearly all)

1. Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling

2. Irregular heartbeat 

3. Irritability 

4. Mood swings, sudden tears 

5. Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats) 

6. Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods, shorter cycles, longer cycles 

7. Loss of libido

8. Dry vagina

9. Crashing fatigue 

10. Anxiety, feeling ill at ease 

11. Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom

12. Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion 

13. Disturbing memory lapses

14. Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing; urge incontinence

15. Itchy, crawly skin  

16. Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons

17. Increased tension in muscles 

18. Breast tenderness 

19. Headache change: increase or decrease 

20. Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea 

21. Sudden bouts of bloat 

22. Depression

23. Exacerbation of existing conditions 

24. Increase in allergies 

25. Weight gain

26. Hair loss or thinning, of head, pubic, or whole body; increase in facial hair 

27. Dizziness, light-headedness, episodes of loss of balance 

28. Changes in body odor 

29. Electric shock sensation under the skin and in the head

30. Tingling in the extremities

31. Gum problems, increased bleeding 

32. Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth

33. Osteoporosis (after several years) 

34. Changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break easier 

35. Tinnitus: ringing in ears, bells, 'whooshing,' buzzing etc.

36. Accelerated aging

    (Symptom excerpt from Project Aware)

Do all women suffer mental heath changes at menopause?

No, not all women suffer during hormonal transitions. Women are impacted by hormones throughout their lifespan, and yet many suffer in silence, sometimes for decades, without fully understanding that the quality of their lives could be improved by making lifestyle changes and even replacing sex hormones. For some women, the change in hormonal status is a minor inconvenience, for others, these hormonal changes are life-altering—affecting self-worth, mental health, physical well-being, professional endeavors, and relationships.

The suffering is real, it is not in your head, and you shouldn’t feel gaslit by your doctor. If your doctor is misinformed, lazy, or a dinosaur and disregards your very real symptoms, find another up-to-date provider. Your doctor may also be operating from the very flawed Women’s Health Initiative study (which did more harm to women’s health!). Currently, we have modern, safe, and effective treatment options that offer women increased vitality, good health, and quality of life. Options such as natural safe hormones, herbs, acupuncture, and seeking counseling or psychiatric support as needed can restore vitality and well-being.

Can therapy help improve my mental health during menopause and hormone-related transitions?

Therapy with a mental health professional who understands the role of reproductive hormones on the brain and body can help premenopausal and menopausal women feel better and find supportive solutions, whether finding an expert to help you replenish your hormones or develop supportive lifestyle changes. Many women who do not wish to replace hormones may benefit from a referral to a psychiatric provider for medication. Research suggests that CBT can help manage night sweats and hot flashes to some degree by making some practical modifications. CBT also helps women manage negative thoughts and emotions that surface at this time. Gaining support for lifestyle changes and resources is an integral part of menopause counseling and coaching.

What happens to our hormone levels before, during and after menopause?

It is important to understand that as women go through menopause, the levels of estrogen (estradiol & estrone), progesterone, and to a lesser extent, testosterone decrease. This decrease can lead to changes in the brain and nervous system, which may result in symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and depression in many women. However, not all women experience these symptoms. While the body still requires estrogen, it will never have the same amount of estradiol as it did in youth. During menopause, the ovaries continue to produce small amounts of estrogen in their reduced state, and the adrenals and fat cells also contribute by converting or creating estrogen through the enzyme aromatase. In post-menopause, hormone levels are significantly lower compared to pre-menopause, with estrone being the primary estrogen. Many believe that this reduction in estrogen levels post-menopause may be a factor in the weight gain that some women experience, as the body attempts to compensate for the reduced levels of estrogen.

What is the link between menopause and depression, and is it normal to feel anxious or depressed during hormonal transitions?

Because of changes in hormones and brain chemicals, many women develop mood symptoms, as well as anxiety and panic disorder, and will be helped to seek mental health counseling, lifestyle coaching, or psychiatric support. A licensed therapist can be a resource for you at this time and even make an appropriate referral. Menopause-related depression symptoms include changes in eating and sleeping patterns, loss of interest in life activities, difficulty functioning properly at work or in your daily life, and feelings of sadness. Depression at this time may develop if you have: a prior history of depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, a history of postpartum depression, or struggled with PMS or PMDD. Lifestyle factors such as alcohol misuse, poor sleep hygiene, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and high levels of unmanaged stress

What about mood swings at perimenopause and menopause?

Yes, women complain about mood swings during hormonal changes, which are exacerbated by difficulty sleeping due to increased anxiety, depression, and changes in body temperature, aka hot flashes.

When should I seek mental health counseling help during menopause?

It’s time to seek mental help when your anxiety or depression impacts your everyday life, work, and relationships. Finding help sooner rather than later is the best course of action. Here are some signs that you need to see a mental health professional: suicidal thoughts, depression daily for more than two weeks, difficulty coping, and feeling alone with your struggle.

How will I know if it’s menopause or something else?

It’s not always easy to tease out what’s going on. Complaints are typically increased anxiety, mood instability, irritability, inability to handle the demands of their life, and sometimes even psychosis. Women also have other competing stressors in their lives, such as caretaking, relationship demands, work, and raising children, but a declining hormone system can certainly contribute to a lack of vitality, energy, and resilience. A knowledgeable hormone specialist can do a baseline test, and follow-up testing to help you track your experience. Fortunately, working with a licensed mental health practitioner who is educated about how sex hormones impact neurotransmitters and many other systems in the body, can help you struggle less, feel supported, and help you decide if hormones or natural remedies are the next step.

Some other common reasons women seek counseling at this time in their lives?

Women seek therapy and counseling for various reasons as they deal with unique psychological and emotional challenges throughout their lives. Modern women often struggle to find time to pursue creative passions and activities that provide them with much-needed nourishment for the spirit and soul. Many women may appear put together on the outside, but internally, they struggle. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, extremely stressed, experiencing role changes, anxiety, infertility, postpartum depression, or mood issues related to hormonal shifts, know that you are not alone, and there is no shame in seeking help. Mid-life also brings unique challenges for women, such as caring for aging parents, children leaving for college or experiencing an empty nest, and changes in job status. When women also face changes in hormones, they may feel generally unwell and less resilient, making it even more challenging to cope with life transitions and changes.

let’s address Women’s Professional Burnout

Like most high-functioning, successful women, you are likely struggling with limbic system impairment and a dysregulated nervous system because of high levels of stress or unresolved traumas. Your Body Is exquisitely Designed To Heal. Don’t Work Against Its Natural Wisdom…

Professional burnout is a common presenting complaint for many high-achieving women and the reason many successful, hardworking professional women seek therapy. How to know if you are struggling with burnout? Initially, women experience apathy, exhaustion, or a sense of overwhelm before more serious problems surface. There are also many reasons one might experience burnout, not limited to excessive striving and the pressure to achieve, perfectionistic tendencies, financial demands, or a competitive type-A personality. Understanding your style and the reasons you feel unwell can help you restore balance, improve well-being, and create a healthier work-life balance.

What Follows Are Some Classic Signs Of Professional Burnout in women:

• Apathy and detachment

• Dread and anxiety 

• Physical and emotional exhaustion

• Chronic fatigue

• Changes in appetite

• Increase in substance use or abuse

• Insomnia and sleep issues

• Physical or somatic complaints such as palpitations, panic attacks, headaches, gastrointestinal complaints, dizziness

• Impaired immune functioning and frequent illness

• Impaired attention, concentration, and forgetfulness

• Relationship issues

• Detachment from relationships

• Anger, tension, and irritability

• Acting out

• Feeling less effective

• Feeling trapped or "stuck"

• Sadness, isolation, pessimism, hopelessness, depression

• Lack of productivity and decreased performance

womens Wellness Coaching & Self-Care

Many NYC women suffer from limbic system impairment and a dysregulated nervous system, chronic pain, somatic symptoms, and health issues that may be rooted in energetic blocks and neglected emotional suffering. We know that trauma at all levels tends to remain "stuck" in the brain, nervous system, and body as unprocessed feelings, emotions, and experiences.

A dysregulated nervous system is often expressed as body symptoms such as anxiety, depression, difficult-to-treat disease, and chronic pain. A special interest of mine is to provide individualized wellness therapy to help support women in identifying feelings and emotions, as well as understand how the body speaks loudly to express the trauma. Clients can overcome blocks to optimal health and understand self-destructive habits that have become life-altering obstacles to well-being. I view well-being as an opportunity to heal from the inside out—this means addressing the root cause of disease and suffering, not just attending to symptoms. Working with a wellness model, together we will identify areas of need, and I will support you through the healing journey

Self-care is not selfish or indulgent; it is the ability to attend to one's own emotional needs. It involves setting boundaries with others and managing feelings such as anxiety, anger, and sadness. This is important for addressing one’s more complex needs, even when it can be challenging due to the demands of your busy life, or the needs and actions of others.

Society, as well as friends, family, and employers, have demands and expectations of women; we have learned to subjugate our own needs in an attempt to please and care for others. In the mental health field, women with low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, dependency issues, and codependency fail to care for themselves, often until it's too late and they become sick. Some examples of women’s chronic health conditions that benefit from self-care support and advocacy are the following: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS, arthritis, MS, Lupus, asthma, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, Lyme disease, autoimmune thyroid disorders (Hashimoto's & Graves), depression, IBS and diseases of aging as a few examples.

Conventional medicine rarely addresses the root causes of many of these chronic conditions and treats only the symptoms. A whole-body approach gives women in therapy the choice to make radical lifestyle changes that may actually cure these common diseases or, at least, greatly reduce symptoms and suffering. The failure to care for oneself due to wanting to please or care for others, such as in a codependent relationship, or the case of overly demanding family members, can indicate some difficulty in setting boundaries, identity, and self-image. 

How can Professional Burnout counseling benefit and support women’s optimal mental health?

• Maintaining motivation and staying focused on personal goals 

• Support for creating healthy and safe boundaries for self and others

• Support for maintaining the energy, passion, and desire for healthy relationships

• Help for engaging in activities and relationships that replace the desire to use drugs or engage in harmful behaviors 

• Self-empowerment and learning to ask for help as needed

• Identifying needs and learning to connect to inner guidance

• Creating self-care practices that nourish the mind and body

• Support in identifying and managing cravings and triggers

• Learning to "own" actions and take responsibility in relationships and with behaviors

• Celebrating important gains and achievements

• Feeling empowered to make healthy choices

• Support with structure, activities, exercise, nutrition, socializing, and sleep hygiene

• Maintaining hope and staying positive during the recovery process

• Help with learning to be present, tolerate discomfort, and live in the present moment

• Create a practice of awareness, acceptance, gratitude, self-compassion, and change 

Helping high-functioning women Find balance

As a high-achieving New Yorker, you feel the pressure to be a certain way. and that pressure can exact a price. therapy can help women feel confident, authentic and empowered. are you ready to stop making yourself small for others’ comfort? learn to set healthier boundaries around your energy and time and invest in your wellness without apologizing! Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan can help women create a realistic and sustainable vision of success—personally (wife, partner, mom, daughter, friend) and professionally—without subjugating and sacrificing important parts of the self! You have the option to have sessions via phone or Telehealth online.

Therapy can help you find peace, confidence, and happiness with the person you are.

You're setting standards that make you feel like you're not "enough." You compare yourself to other women on social media and set them as your expectations. And you find yourself feeling defeated when things don't work out the way you want them to.

You want to be a high-powered businesswoman who goes to the gym, goes out with friends, goes on vacation, has a successful career, and is happy with her body. The woman who has it all and juggles it successfully. That's a lot of pressure to put on yourself and you know this isn't realistic. But you find yourself still striving for this ideal.

Modern women struggle to make time to pursue creative passions and endeavors that would provide much-needed spirit and soul nourishment. You deserve to create the life that you desire. If you find yourself struggling in so many areas, and that's not happening, therapy for women can give you the support to break through blocks and obstacles. Women seek therapy and counseling for many reasons as they face unique psychological and emotional challenges throughout their lifespan. Many women present to the outside world as “together,” yet, on the inside, they struggle. If you find yourself experiencing overwhelm, extreme stress, role changes, anxiety, infertility, postpartum depression, or mood issues related to hormonal shifts or menopause, you are not alone. Feeling “undeserving” and “not enough” is a common theme expressed by women in therapy. Overwhelmed with perfectionism and demands, women of all ages frequently wrestle with an internal voice that is harsh, unforgiving, and pervasive.

Therapy can help you know your worth in the world, and finally believe that you are enough!

Women are invalidated throughout development, with many negative messages stemming from society and culture. Social media has created an even more toxic environment for women as they strive to keep up. It is an illusion that everyone else is thriving and achieving; you may be measuring yourself against branding and a carefully curated life that does not exist. 

Some common Concerns NYC women bring to therapy sessions:

• Anxiety and worry

• Depression, feeling down, and chronic sadness

• Feeling unhappy

• Relationship challenges

• Dating and attracting the wrong people

• Stress and difficulty managing stress

• Feeling overwhelmed

• Feeling stuck in life

• Repeating patterns, habits, and behaviors that create distress

• Insecurity about self-worth

• Pressures related to parenting

• Difficult family background

• Desire to improve your current relationship

• Desire to find and attract the right partner

• Unresolved trauma

• Sadness over past events and relationships

• Getting separated or divorced

• Challenges of co-parenting with your ex

Take up space in the world, Face your Challenges, have more confidence at work

Positive outcomes of working together in therapy:

• Feeling relief from anxiety and depression

• Worrying less

• Breaking old relational patterns

• Attracting your ideal partner

• Achieving a successful relationship

• Creating better work-life balance

• Experiencing less stress and tension

• Improved self-esteem

• Changing old familiar patterns

• Getting unstuck

• Greater self-confidence

• Freeing yourself from the past

• Feeling hopeful about the future

• Feeling authentic and finding “true self”

• Improved self-esteem

• Co-parenting smoothly with your ex

• Feeling successful in life

Many NYC women present to the world as if they are thriving, yet in reality, they suffer greatly. Helping you feel whole, vital, and balanced is our work together.

Many women would agree that, from the outside, their lives appear to run smoothly, and yet they feel unhappy and unfulfilled. They may not always know what’s wrong, but they feel trapped, stuck, and unable to make changes. Women can feel disempowered and trapped in patterns and roles, unable to experience authenticity and autonomy. Women, often caretakers and nurturers, neglect their own “self” needs to a punishing degree, feeling shame for having and expressing needs.

Effective therapy for women should focus on empowerment and overall health and well-being. Working with an emotional health expert can support you to create a healthier work/life balance, learning effective stress management skills and coping strategies, and set boundaries for yourself and others.

Women’s Therapy & Mentoring Sessions can help:

• Relationship dissatisfaction, recovering from infidelity and betrayal, blocks to intimacy and trust, healing from break-ups or divorce, divorce transition, dating again

• Feeling “not enough” or “unworthy of love”

• Fear of abandonment in relationships, losing “self” in relationships, and boundary problems

• Repeating patterns such as finding “unavailable” partners, co-dependency

• Body image issues and concerns, dissociation

• Difficulties communicating needs and desires

• Overcoming loss, unresolved grief

• Trauma resolution

• Aging, transitions

• Owning shadow aspects of yourself

• Repressed anger and rage

• Role and identity, career concerns

• PCOS, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, autoimmune disorders, thyroid disorders, nutrition deficits that impact mood, hormonal struggles, weight concerns

• Post-menopause, perimenopause, post-pregnancy, hormone imbalance

• Sexual problems, inability to orgasm, pain during sex, sex drive concerns, sexual compulsivity, sexual fear and aversion, shame related to sexuality, recovering from negative experiences, reclaiming sexuality after abuse, recovering from childhood sexual abuse, assault, violence, harassment, religious and cultural concerns, gender non-conforming, queer, transgender, LGBTQ+, kink, fetish, BDSM, sexual orientation, bisexuality, alternate lifestyle, poly lifestyle, open relationships

psychotherapy & wellness Manhattan help You

Therapy sessions are a confidential space for women to express anything and everything that is a source of stress and distress. Women-focused counseling offers a safe space for you to talk about your real needs and all the places that cause you pain and suffering. Helping you connect to your “true self” does not have to feel threatening to other parts of your life. It can enhance other aspects, such as parenting and your relationships. It can also give you the support and courage to release all the areas that no longer serve you.

What gets in your way of having the life you desire?

There is this “part” of you that seems to interfere with your ability to have the life that you desire. You are not alone. We all have an inner “saboteur” that causes setbacks, and even self-destruction. Because this part is unconscious, the saboteur within you frequently runs the show. To protect you from shame, disappointment, and other things, it triggers failure before success has a chance. Therapy can help you get to know this part of you, and give it a name. Psychotherapy with integrated IFS parts work and EMDR can help you have a better relationship with your inner saboteur, and this process can be transformative for you.

Whatever you want to call your inner saboteur, we are talking about a system of coping and adaptation. Therapists who regularly use the IFS model work with these “parts” within each person’s behavioral system, as the parts actively interfere with or sabotage the achievement of a more successful and meaningful life. To experience success in therapy, our parts need to be effectively identified and managed with curiosity, compassion, and care. These parts, the ones that hold experiences like images, thoughts, feelings, fear, and the other parts that were once protective, are now no longer needed to keep you safe.

How do we work with self-sabotage in therapy sessions?

Integrating IFS into therapy sessions can help you work directly with the hidden agenda of the parts, moving you swiftly through the conflict, stuck-ness, and gridlock. IFS can also elegantly and seamlessly be integrated with EMDR for super-charged coaching to help “stuck” clients become less frozen in their past. My training in Internal Family Systems or IFS, along with my long history of successfully using EMDR with therapy and coaching, allows me to help you move through these stuck areas, that may have something to do with your past—but we don’t have to linger there for long.

When it comes to intimacy and sex, you deserve to embody your sexuality and enjoy passionate pursuits. Intimacy and vulnerability can be accessed in ways that can be transformative for your life and can generalize to your friendships and romance.

These are some common concerns and themes that we can explore together in therapy:

• Blocks to intimacy and trust

• Co-dependency and losing “self” in relationships

• Fear of abandonment in relationships

• Body image issues and concerns

• Difficulties communicating needs and desires

• Role, identity, subjugation of self

• Overcoming loss, unresolved grief

• Dissociation and numbness

• Boundary concerns

• Owning shadow aspects of yourself

• Repressed anger and rage

• Sex drive concerns, inability to orgasm, and painful sex

• Sexual fear and aversion

• Shame related to sexuality, sexual fear, and aversion

• Career and work/life balance

• Generalized anxiety and chronic worry

• Depression, postpartum depression, pre-menopause, menopause

• Unresolved trauma

• Aging and difficult transitions

• Family, parenting, and co-parenting

• Healing from break-ups or divorce

• Infidelity and betrayal trauma

• Divorce transition and dating again

• Relationship dissatisfaction, married and unfulfilled

• Repeating patterns such as finding “unavailable” partners

• Chronic Fatigue, fibromyalgia, thyroid disease

• Feeling whole again after childhood sexual abuse, assault, violence, harassment

Work-Life Balance for nY women

Time is a precious commodity in today’s chaotic and demanding society. developing the skills to honor your need for work-life balance is an essential element of psychotherapy.

Finding work-life balance can be a constant struggle, especially for women living and working in New York City. For working professionals and stay-at-home moms, it can be difficult to prioritize self-care and personal needs, goals, and desires. Because of the internet, many jobs demand that you are also responsive during your off hours which is an added stressor. With stress-filled careers, commuting, and the added demands of friends and family, it’s easy to understand why many women struggle—feeling wired, tired, and overwhelmed. I work with women seeking therapy who live and work in the New York City area, offering online therapy or telemedicine.

About NYC Women’s Therapy

This practice provides a range of psychological & wellness services in NYC and throughout NY state. The goal is to individualize treatment to your unique physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual needs. I have experience working with a broad range of symptoms and approaches in psychotherapy, including but not limited to EMDR Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Holistic Mind-Body Medicine. Therapy begins with a therapeutic consultation, where you will gather a wealth of information about your difficulties. Many people feel better after the first session. The initial consultation also lays the groundwork for future treatment as we determine the best modalities to help you heal.

NYC Women’s Therapist With Nearly 20 Years Of Experience

This practice offers supportive, compassionate, and comprehensive care, staying current on research related to mental health. My goal is to use my expertise and extensive training to get you back to living your life as quickly as possible.

Book An Appointment For NYC Women’s Therapy Today

Book an appointment directly or text 212-529-8292 to get started. Integrative Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan can help you with your healing journey guiding you towards optimal mental health.