“I don’t feel like myself” can hold many different experiences: feeling anxious, disconnected, overwhelmed, irritable, exhausted or less able to cope with everyday demands. For some women, these changes emerge alongside physical symptoms or hormonal transitions. For others, they reflect the cumulative impact of life experiences, relationships, caring responsibilities and sustained pressure. Often, several influences overlap.

This two-hour webinar offers a compassionate, trauma-informed and person-centred exploration of the relationship between women’s health and mental wellbeing.

Gemma Fieldsend and Jessica Parker will explore how physical health, hormonal changes, psychological experiences and social circumstances may interact. Menstrual health, perimenopause and menopause will provide examples, alongside consideration of trauma, identity, relationships and the emotional load of caring for others. We will remain curious about individual experiences rather than assuming that every difficulty is hormonal or that all women experience these changes in the same way.

A key focus will be on what happens when someone feels unfamiliar to themselves but struggles to explain why. We will consider experiences of being dismissed or misunderstood, the pressure to keep functioning, and how distress may remain less visible when someone continues to meet everyone else’s needs.

Through practice examples and guided reflection, participants will explore how to open sensitive conversations, listen without rushing to an explanation and consider the wider context of someone’s distress. We will discuss how practitioners can support access to appropriate medical and psychological care, recognise concerns requiring further assessment and work within their professional role.

The session will offer practical language and reflective tools for supporting women with greater curiosity, compassion and confidence. Participation will be invitational, with opportunities for private reflection or chat contributions and no expectation of personal disclosure or role play.

Description supplied by the event organiser.