Therapy for Women, Focused on Women's Issues
As women who highly value compassion and understanding as well as practical solutions, we can help you with your unique situation. We’re women first, therapists second. We, ourselves, have been through many of the same situations you’re struggling with. Whether infertility, loss of a spouse, raising children, including children with special needs, menopause, changing bodies, careers, adoption, we’ve been there. We’ve had relationship struggles and have been in relationships that didn’t support our best selves. As therapists, we understand how to work through the emotional challenges, to build resilience and to become our best selves despite the challenges we face. We approach situations first and foremost with compassion and understanding for where you are right now. Then we can evaluate goals and practical solutions.
Unfortunately, as women, we are no strangers to comparison. It’s not uncommon to judge ourselves and our lives by what we think we know of other women. We compare ourselves and decide that we’re falling short, not good enough, etc. Behind closed doors, other women may also be struggling with some of the same issues we are or their own unique situations. Or, if they aren’t struggling now, they have in the past or will at some point in the future. We all struggle, we all experience pain.
You are not alone. No one can know exactly how you feel, but we’d like to try. We want to hear your unique story, to understand and to help you cope, heal, and transform the way you relate to yourself and others. We understand the unique challenges women face with our bodies, fertility, our life and gender roles, our careers, our family, our relationships, and aging. We can help you work through these common women’s issues and live a happier, more fulfilling life.
Common Women’s Issues
Motherhood: Motherhood is wonderful…right? There is nothing more beautiful than holding that baby in your arms for the first time. You never knew you could love this much. It is the grandest feeling in the world, until it isn’t. The worry sets in. Worry about everything. All the “what ifs” are suddenly right there. It doesn’t matter if you are a new mother, the mother of a grown child, or somewhere in between, the worry and self-doubt, balancing and stress, and expectations are present.
Postpartum Depression: You can’t wait to meet your baby, your body is definitely ready. Your baby is a true miracle and joy in your life. But then you feel guilty, you can’t get motivated, you might feel resentment toward the baby, and you find yourself crying frequently. This can be so confusing and lead to feelings of guilt and shame as a mother. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to talk with a therapist and your doctor right away to be evaluated for postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is serious and treatment can help.
Career Management: Managing a career can be rewarding in so many ways. Fortunately, we have more opportunities than ever before. Yet still, there are career and work-life issues that require greater attention and balancing for women. Some women find themselves in successful positions yet feel like an imposter. Others feel challenged by the “good ol’ boy” humor at the office, while others want greater flexibility to have time for family life. Working with a therapist may help you to achieve the best work-life balance for you.
Relationships: Do you find yourself repeating patterns in your relationships? Are you struggling in your romantic, friend, or employment relationships to feel connected, respected or valued? You’ve heard that relationships take work, but sometimes it means finding the right “tribe,” finding your voice, or discovering your own worth.
Divorce Transition: Have you and your partner decided to divorce? This can be one of life’s most stressful times. We can support you in navigating the transition and coping with the new changes in your life.
Women’s Health Issues and Aging: Women have unique health issues that may contribute to emotional distress. Whether you are going through menopause, fibromyalgia, hormonal imbalances, breast cancer, or other physical struggles, your emotional health may be impacted. If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, it’s a good idea to have your vitamin levels checked (especially B & D), your thyroid, your hormones in addition to routine bloodwork. Once your body is in balance you may still experience symptoms related to physical or medical factors.
As women, we can especially be impacted by the aging process. Our bodies change, things slow down and it can be difficult to feel comfortable with your body and the changes. Counseling can help you to feel comfortable in your body, cope with the aging process, and reinvent yourself should you choose to do so.
