How talking therapy can support you through menopause

Going through menopause can affect more than just your body. While symptoms like hot flashes and sleep problems are often discussed, it’s just as important to talk about the impact menopause can have on your mental health and emotional wellbeing.

At TALKWORKS, we offer free, confidential NHS talking therapy to help support people in Devon who are struggling with their mental health. This includes support for those going through menopause, or who are experiencing emotional distress linked to the signs of menopause.

Recognising the signs of menopause

Menopause is a natural stage of life, but it affects everyone differently. While hot flashes and changes in your menstrual cycle are some of the more widely known symptoms, menopause can also lead to:

• Mood swings or irritability
• Low mood or anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• A loss of confidence or feeling like you’ve lost your sense of self

If you’re asking questions like "how long does menopause last?" or "what can I do to find some relief?", you are not alone. These are common concerns, and it can be overwhelming when symptoms start to impact your day-to-day life.

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of menopause.

How menopause can affect your mental health

It’s not unusual for people to notice emotional changes during menopause. You might feel anxious without knowing why, find it harder to manage stress, or start to feel low. These feelings can be made worse if you’re not sleeping well, or if you're experiencing intense hot flashes or physical discomfort.

If this sounds familiar, talking therapy can help. It gives you a space to explore how you’re feeling, without judgment, and to understand more about what’s going on beneath the surface.

Read our guide on mental health and menopause.

What happens in talking therapy?

At TALKWORKS, we offer a range of NHS talking therapies that are tailored to your individual needs. These include:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): CBT can help you recognise the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It’s especially helpful if you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, and want to learn techniques to manage your emotions more effectively. 
• Counselling for depression: This is a reflective talking therapy that allows you to explore difficult feelings or experiences in a safe space. Counselling for depression can be helpful if menopause is bringing up emotions that are hard to process. 
• Wellbeing workshops: Our TALKWORKS for menopause workshop is designed to support those struggling with symptoms of menopause, with a focus on managing emotional wellbeing.

Whichever option you access, our trained practitioners are here to listen, offer practical support and help you find a way forward that works for you.

What about natural remedies or lifestyle changes?

You might already be looking into natural remedies for menopause or researching how to relieve hot flashes and improve sleep. While these can be helpful, talking therapy focuses on the emotional and psychological side of menopause, offering long-term strategies to support your mental wellbeing.

Some people find that a combination of approaches works best – for example, attending therapy while also exploring changes to diet, exercise, or relaxation techniques.

Take the first step

You don’t need to go through menopause alone. If you’re struggling with how you feel and think talking therapy might help, we’re here to support you.

You can refer yourself to TALKWORKS online or by calling our team on 0300 555 3344. There’s no need to see a GP first, and no long wait to be heard.

Please note: TALKWORKS is a free NHS talking therapies service available to adults aged 18+ who are registered with a GP in Devon (excluding Plymouth).

Looking for more information about menopause? Read Nikki’s story in our blog.