Understanding Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the transition phase leading up to menopause. It often begins in the 40s, sometimes earlier, and can last for several years. During this time, hormonal changes can affect not only the body, but also mood, anxiety levels, confidence, and relationships.

Many women are surprised by how challenging this stage can feel. You might notice increased anxiety, emotional sensitivity, irritability, low mood, or a sense of not quite feeling like yourself anymore. Relationships that once felt steady can suddenly feel strained or disconnected.

If you’re experiencing this, you’re not alone — and you’re not failing. Perimenopause can be a significant emotional and psychological transition.

How perimenopause can affect emotional wellbeing

During perimenopause, changes in hormones can influence the nervous system and stress response. This can make it harder to cope with everyday pressures and life changes.

Common experiences include:

heightened anxiety or ongoing worry
feeling emotionally overwhelmed or flat
difficulty sleeping or switching off
reduced confidence or increased self-doubt
feeling stuck, lost, or unsure of yourself

These changes can be unsettling, especially if you’ve always seen yourself as capable and resilient.

The impact on relationships and connection

Perimenopause doesn’t just affect individuals. It can also have a real impact on intimate relationships.

Couples may notice:

more frequent conflict or misunderstandings
emotional distance or withdrawal
difficulty communicating needs clearly
changes in intimacy or closeness

Without support, both partners can feel confused, frustrated, or alone. Counselling can help make sense of what’s happening and support healthier ways of communicating and reconnecting.

How perimenopause counselling can help

Perimenopause counselling provides a calm, supportive space to explore what you’re experiencing and how it’s affecting your life and relationships.

Counselling can help you:

understand emotional and anxiety changes during perimenopause
develop tools to regulate stress and overwhelm
rebuild confidence and self-trust
improve communication and connection in relationships
navigate life transitions with greater clarity and steadiness

Support during this stage isn’t about “fixing” you. It’s about helping you feel more grounded, supported, and understood during a time of real change.

I also bring personal understanding to this work, having navigated perimenopause myself. I know how challenging mood swings, anxiety, hot flushes, and brain fog can be, and how unsettling it can feel to no longer feel like yourself. This experience informs the compassion and care I bring to my work with individuals and couples during this stage.

My approach

At Hope and Grow Counselling Services, I work with adults and couples using evidence-based approaches including Schema Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Relational Life Therapy (RLT), and the Gottman Method. This allows counselling to be both practical and emotionally meaningful.

My style is warm, down-to-earth, and honest. Clients often share that they feel cared for while also being gently challenged in ways that support real, lasting change.

Perimenopause counselling in Corrimal

I offer perimenopause counselling for adults and couples in Corrimal, with sessions available online or face-to-face. Support is tailored to your individual needs and where you are in this stage of life.

If perimenopause is affecting your emotional wellbeing, sense of self, or your relationship, counselling can help you navigate this transition with more support and confidence.

Taking the next step

You don’t have to go through this alone. With the right support, perimenopause can become a time of understanding, adjustment, and growth rather than confusion or self-blame.

If you’d like to explore whether counselling is right for you, I invite you to get in touch to book a consultation or ask any questions.