Mental Health, Perimenopause, and the Mind-Body Connection

Podcast with Integrative Women's Health Institute Podcast on Perimenopause and Mental Health

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I often work with women in midlife whose first signs of perimenopause are not physical but emotional — rising anxiety, irritability, burnout, or brain fog. These experiences are real and valid, yet too often they're addressed without any attention to the hormonal and physiological changes happening at the same time.

In my therapy practice, I also see how unresolved trauma can resurface during the menopause transition. Using approaches like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and nervous system–informed care, I help clients tend to both the emotional and the physical layers of what they're experiencing.

Mental Health and Physical Health through Perimenopause

In a recent conversation with Dr. Jessica Drummond on the Integrative Women's Health Podcast, we explored:

• Why mental and physical health have to be addressed together during menopause

• How trauma and unresolved health challenges can re-emerge in midlife

• The importance of listening without rushing to "fix"

• A framework for supporting midlife mental health and reducing burnout

• The value of interdisciplinary collaboration for comprehensive care

As I put it in our conversation: mental health and physical health can't be separated.

Whether you're navigating menopause or burnout yourself, or supporting clients through this stage of life, I invite you to listen for a deeper look at where hormonal health, trauma recovery, burnout prevention, and emotional well-being meet.

🎧 Listen to the episode here or watch episode below

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References

1. Cardoza J, Drummond J. Why We Need More Perimenopause Professionals in Mental Health (Episode 76). Integrative Women's Health Podcast, hosted by Dr. Jessica Drummond, DCN, CNS, PT, NBC-HWC. https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/why-we-need-more-perimenopause-professionals-in-mental-health-with-julie-cardoza-ms-lmft-and-iwhi-graduate/

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Julie Cardoza, MS, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant specializing in Somatic EMDR, based in California. She is also an IWHI Certified Perimenopause/Menopause Health Coach and the founder of Heartscapes, LLC, where she offers holistic coaching and wellness programs for midlife women.

Julie works at the intersection of trauma, neurobiology, and hormonal transition, bringing a compassionate, body-based, and science-informed approach to healing and transformation during the menopause midjourney.

Disclaimer

The content on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, medical advice, or establish a therapeutic relationship. Reading this blog does not make you a client.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. For professional support, consult with a licensed mental health provider in your area.

You are responsible for how you use the information shared here. This content reflects my professional perspective and lived experience but should not replace individualized care.

Land Acknowledgment

I acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional and ancestral lands of the Yokut and Mono peoples.