Why I’m Stepping Away from Traditional Psychology: A New Approach to Supporting Midlife WomenAfter nearly 30 years of providing psychological services, Kirsten is making a big—and scary—change. In this episode of Midlife Bites, Kirsten shares why she has decided to step back from traditional psychological services and move into a mentoring model designed specifically to support women through midlife, perimenopause, and menopause. This isn’t because she’s tired of hearing women’s stories. Quite the opposite. Kirsten explains that she loves helping women make sense of their experiences, understand themselves, and work out what they want for the next chapter of their lives. But she has increasingly felt that the traditional mental health care model can be restrictive when the work a woman needs goes beyond treating psychological distress. For some women, perimenopause and menopause can have a significant impact on mental health, and psychological support is absolutely important. But for many others, the challenge is less about pathology and more about navigating change, identity, values, relationships, boundaries, purpose, confidence, and figuring out who they are becoming. And that is where Kirsten sees mentoring playing an important role. In this episode, Kirsten talks about: Why she has made the decision to step away from traditional psychological servicesThe limitations she sees in the mental health care plan modelWhy not every difficult experience during perimenopause or menopause is necessarily a mental health disorderThe difference between psychological distress and psychological growthWhy perimenopause can bring identity, values, relationships, boundaries, and purpose into sharp focusWhy ten rebated psychological sessions may not be enough to support a transition that can last for many yearsThe importance of community and connection for midlife womenWhy many women lose touch with curiosity, fun, joy, and experimentation during midlifeHow mentoring can provide a more active and flexible form of supportKirsten’s vision for bringing women together through online group sessions and in-person eventsCreating opportunities for women to try new things, meet other women, and reconnect with themselvesThe option of VIP mentoring with individual access to KirstenWhy self-trust can come under fire during perimenopauseWhat it means to grow into a more grounded, self-accepting and self-led version of yourselfWhy Kirsten believes midlife women deserve support that goes beyond simply treating symptomsA different way of looking at midlife Kirsten challenges the idea that every difficult experience during perimenopause needs to be viewed through a pathological lens. Perimenopause can be genuinely difficult. For some women, it can significantly affect their mental health and professional psychological support is important. But difficulty doesn't automatically mean something is wrong with you. This stage of life can also bring about a deeper developmental process—one that asks us to reconsider who we are, what matters to us, what we want to stand for, which relationships nourish us, where we need boundaries, and what we want the next chapter of our lives to look like. From psychological services to mentoring Kirsten explains why she believes a mentoring model gives her more freedom to support women through this developmental work. Her new mentoring approach will include: Online group sessions Creating a space where midlife women can come together, share experiences, have meaningful conversations, and support one another. Events and experiences Opportunities to try different activities, explore new interests, meet other women, and reconnect with curiosity, fun and joy. Community and connection Helping women build connections with others while also reconnecting with themselves. VIP mentoring For women who want additional individual access and support from Kirsten. At the heart of the mentoring program is a desire to help women develop greater self-trust, self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-leadership. Kirsten describes this as finding your way towards becoming a more grounded and anchored “wise woman.” If you need psychological support Kirsten is also clear that mentoring isn't the right fit for everyone. If you are experiencing significant psychological distress or need a traditional psychological service, All About Her – The Centre for Menopause has psychologists who continue to provide psychological services for perimenopausal and menopausal women. The new mentoring approach is intended for women who may not necessarily need psychological treatment but are looking for support around areas such as: IdentityValuesMeaning and purposeRelationshipsBoundariesChoicesChangeSelf-trustConfidencePersonal growthFinding joy and curiosity againA bold step For Kirsten, this transition is also personal. Stepping away from a professional model she has worked within for nearly 30 years is a significant and scary decision. But she believes that if she is encouraging women to make courageous choices that feel aligned with who they are becoming, she needs to embody that courage herself. Midlife can be a time of enormous change—but it can also be an opportunity to reclaim parts of ourselves that have been lost along the way. And sometimes, moving forward means being brave enough to try something different. Connect with Kirsten If this episode raises questions for you, Kirsten welcomes you to reach out and start a conversation about whether her mentoring approach might be right for you. You can also visit All About Her – The Centre for Menopause to find a practitioner who can support you through midlife. 🌐 Website: allabouthercentre.com.au 📧 Email: kirsten@allabouthercentre.com.au Loved this episode? If Midlife Bites resonated with you, follow the podcast so you don't miss future episodes. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps other women discover the podcast and feel a little less alone in their own midlife journey. Midlife isn't here to break you; it's here to remake you. Keywords midlife women, perimenopause, menopause, midlife transition, women's mental health, psychological growth, midlife mentoring, menopause support, self-trust, identity, boundaries, purpose, personal growth, women's community, midlife confidence, self-leadership Click subscribe or follow to make sure you get notified about new episodes. Visit here to access a comprehensive resource hub for Australian women navigating menopause, offering trusted professionals, support, and information all in one place. https://www.allabouthercentre.com.au/
