Ever wonder why you keep repeating the same relationship patterns? Why you apologize for everything, even when it's not your fault? Or why you logically understand what needs to change but emotionally can't get there? Dr. Justine Corry, trauma-informed relationship coach and former clinical psychologist, explains why this happens - and how to break free from these patterns for good. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Corry introduces schema therapy, a game-changing approach that looks at patterns rather than symptoms. She explains how childhood experiences create mental frameworks (schemas) that influence how we show up in relationships, and why perimenopause triggers these patterns in overwhelming ways. Each episode will share life stories and expert insight into women's health and your perimenopause and menopause journey. In this episode What schema therapy is and why understanding patterns is more powerful than managing symptomsThe six common schemas plaguing high-achieving women: abandonment, emotional deprivation, defectiveness, self-sacrifice, subjugation, and unrelenting standardsWhy perimenopause acts as a schema trigger, making it harder to power through life while ignoring your needsHow to recognize when you're having a "schema trigger" vs. a rational responseWhy self-trust and self-respect are the best antidepressants you've never triedThe difference between being "self-led" vs. constantly seeking external validationHow long real pattern change takes (spoiler: it's not quick, but it's worth it)Practical tools like the SIFT exercise to understand your emotional responses in real time There's always a "why" behind your emotions, even when you can't see it. Let Dr. Corry help you uncover yours. This podcast is brought to you by IRIS. Daily care products made with clean ingredients for hydrated vulvas and vaginas. Use code TIP20 for 20% off at lovemyIRIS.com. Connect with Mikelle & Michelle at This is PerimenopauseEmail us and let us know what you think of the podcast and what topic you want us to cover next.Sign up for our weekly newsletterFollow This Is Perimenopause on InstagramFollow This Is Perimenopause on Facebook Dr. Justine Corry Dr. Justine Corry is a trauma-informed relationship coach and former clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience guiding women through deep emotional healing. Her superpower? Helping high-achieving, deeply giving women break the patterns that keep them small, silent, and stuck in relationships that no longer fit. Through a powerful blend of schema therapy, nervous system wisdom, and sharp emotional insight, Dr. Corry helps women rebuild self-trust, reclaim their voice, and step into lives where they no longer have to shrink to belong. Her signature 5-step Relationship Reinvention Method guides women to understand their self-sabotaging patterns, prioritise their emotional needs, and create relationships that feel balanced, respectful, and real. What sets Justine apart is her ability to help smart, self-aware women who’ve already done the work bridge the gap between knowing what’s wrong and finally doing something different. Whether they’re navigating the aftermath of divorce or separation or leading in business and life while secretly battling patterns like over-functioning, perfectionism, and people-pleasing, Justine helps women unravel the emotional blueprints that kept them stuck, so they can thrive in love, leadership, and self-trust from the inside out. Dr. Corry’s Signature Program: Your Relationship Reinvention is a 6-month group experience for women navigating life after divorce, separation, or a significant breakup. It’s designed to help you break the patterns that no longer serve you (like people-pleasing, poor boundaries, and over-functioning) so you can rebuild self-trust and create a life that feels grounded, honest, and fully yours. Because the version of you that was in that relationship isn’t the one who’s going to create what comes next, and this next chapter can be your best one yet. Links for this episode Dr. Justine CorryYour Relationship ReinventionInner Success Leadership CoachingDr. Justine Corry on InstagramDr. Justine Corry’s Blogs Resource Dr. Corry mentioned in episode: Reinventing Your Life: the bestselling breakthrough program to end negative behaviour and feel great
