Therapy Cafe (Video Version) - Menopause and Mental Health: Supporting Aging Women

 As menopause becomes a more prominent issue discussed in healthcare, the conversation highlights the importance of understanding the hormonal changes women experience during midlife. Many biopsychosocial influences in midlife influence our moods.  We see an incidence of depression double, anxiety and panic attacks increase, and some individuals even present with a new diagnosis or exacerbation of underlying ADHD. In this course, we explore the crucial topic of menopause and its effects on mental health. Our experts, Dr. Kathleen Jordan, Chief Medical Officer, and Joanna Strober, CEO and co-founder of Midi—a virtual care platform tailored for women over 40—share their expertise with host Marjorie Morrison, LMFT, LPCC, co-founder of Psych Hub. Our guests discuss the significance of recognizing the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and how they affect women physically, emotionally, and mentally. By sharing practical strategies and evidence-based interventions, they offer hope and solutions to manage these life transitions effectively. The importance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is discussed, alongside non-hormonal treatments and lifestyle adjustments. The course serves as an informative guide for mental health practitioners providing tools to support aging women better and break the taboos surrounding menopause.

1 hour CE. Recorded video format (non-interactive)

This course is the video version of this Therapy Cafe podcast episode. If you would like to listen to the audio version, you can search for the audio version of this title in the course catalog. 

ESTIMATED COURSE LENGTH: 1 hour 

CE CREDITS:1 hour continuing education/contact hours for social workers, psychologists, counselors, and marriage and family therapists

TARGET AUDIENCE: Mental Health Practitioners

LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION: Introductory 

PREREQUISITE(S): None

INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD: Recorded video format (non-interactive)

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: Closed captioning. To request further accessibility accommodations, please email support@psychhub.com.

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: To obtain your CE certificate, learners must take the pre-test, watch the full course, complete a participant evaluation, and obtain a score of 80% or higher on a post-test. Learners are expected to complete the quiz within 3 attempts. If unable to do so, the learner will need to re-review the course segments.

FINANCIAL/COMMERCIAL SUPPORT STATEMENT: This course has no commercial support.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:  This course has no potential conflict of interest or outside commercial support. Dr. Jordan and Joanna Strober have a relevant disclosure noted in the Continuing Education information section of this course. Psych Hub's conflict of interest statement is found in the footer of the training center.

GRIEVANCE AND REFUND POLICIES: Grievance and refund policies are found in the footer of the training center.

PARTICIPATION COSTS:  The cost to participate in this CE activity is included in the subscription registration fee.

COURSE CREATION DATE: 10/3/2024

By the end of this course, participants will be able to

1. Explain the physical and psychological symptoms commonly associated with hormone changes during perimenopause and menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, vaginal atrophy, fatigue, mood changes, anxiety, depression, and effects on sexuality

2. Discuss evidence-based hormone therapy options for perimenopausal and menopausal women, including types, benefits, risks, and individualization based on the patient's symptoms and medical history.

1. Describe the effects of perimenopause and menopause on mental health conditions in women, including potential effects on mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, dementia, ADHD, and eating disorders.

2. Explain the mental health implications of early/premature menopause compared to menopause at average age.

1. Demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity regarding diverse attitudes, stigma, expectations and experiences surrounding menopause and perimenopause.

Introduction to Menopause and Perimenopause

• Definition and Overview of Menopause and Perimenopause
• Cultural Stigma and Lack of Representation Around Menopause

Physical and Psychological Symptoms

• Key Hormones Involved in Menopause and Perimenopause
• Common Symptoms: Sleep Disturbances, Anxiety, Mood Changes, Brain Fog, and More

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

• Types of Hormone Therapy (Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone)
• Benefits and Risks of HRT
• Misconceptions Around HRT and Breast Cancer
• Non-Hormonal Treatment Options

Menopause and Mental Health Conditions

• Interaction of Menopause with Existing Mental Health Conditions (e.g., ADHD, Anxiety, Depression)
• Impact on Psychotropic Medications and Treatment Adjustments

Culturally Responsive Care

• Variations in Menopausal Experience Across Cultures and Demographics
• Addressing Disparities in Menopausal Care for Women of Color and Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds

Tips for Therapists

• Recognizing Menopause-Related Symptoms in Therapy
• Screening for Hormonal Issues and Referring Clients for Medical Consultations
• Enhancing Therapeutic Outcomes by Addressing Both Mental Health and Physical Symptoms