Support Groups for Menopause

• related page: Menopause & Perimenopause

May 2009

At my last well woman visit in response to my questions about uncomfortable symptoms, my ob/gym gave me a handbook on menopause. Ug! Judging from the age my mom went through the change, it's about 5 years away for me, and my ob/gyn tells me to expect more changes. I am wondering if there are support groups or women's groups anywhere in the Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito area for women quickly approaching the change. It still feels like uncharted territory for me, and not at all comfortable either physically or emotionally. I would like to have a group to talk to about this, preferably directed by a woman with training/experience in the area. Anyone have recommendations? Got to be one of many

Yes! Your timing is perfect. I offer such a group, calling it ''Entering (Peri-)Menopause: Change as Opportunity''. The next group is starting at the end of May, in Albany. I organize it in an series of 8 sessions, meeting every other week, for 1 1/2 hours. We talk about changes in body, affecting emotions, and put entering into menopause in a wider context of a culture that adores youth. Women talk about issues in their life, as it relates to mid-life, which could be relationships, career, or creativity. We also look for benefits of maturing, becoming more authentic and valuing meaning. The group offers a safe space for inner reflection and learning from others. I am a licensed MFT, and have facilitated groups for about 20 years, and this kind of group for about 6 series. Feel free to contact me for questions. www.yvonnemansell.com, (510) 528-9551. Yvonne

Yvonne Mansell is supposed to be very good in this field. She has numerous great reviews on BPN. I spoke with her regarding her group, but I got pregnant. Once perimenopause rears its ugly head again I may be calling her too!

In the meantime, there are things you can do and take to help alleviate the unpleasant symptoms. But having a group to help with working through the emotional stuff will be such a bonus. Good luck to you! the_missus

Greetings, My colleague, Yvonne Mansell, runs support groups for peri-menopause and I believe she has a group starting in the near future. She is very skilled and has run groups for a number of years. She can be reached at 510 528-9551 and her website is www.yvonnemansell.com. Lee