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The silence around menopause and sexuality in midlife is finally breaking. Sex therapist Brooke Bralove returns to the podcast for a candid, informative conversation about what women really experience during perimenopause and menopause—and why suffering should never be the default option.

Brooke reveals that even as medical understanding evolves, many healthcare providers remain woefully undereducated about treating menopausal symptoms. Most OBGYNs receive just hours of training on menopause management throughout their entire medical education. This knowledge gap leaves countless women struggling with hot flashes, painful sex, mood swings, joint pain, and fatigue without proper support or treatment.

The conversation dives deep into how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been misunderstood and unfairly maligned. Contrary to outdated beliefs, many forms of HRT are safe and effective for managing symptoms that significantly impact quality of life. Brooke encourages listeners to seek out menopause-educated providers who understand current research rather than accepting outdated "it's just part of aging" dismissals.

Beyond the physical aspects, we explore how menopause affects relationships and sexual satisfaction. Many couples who've been together for decades have never had honest conversations about their sexual needs. Brooke offers practical strategies for breaking through shame and initiating these difficult discussions, including "walk and talk" conversations and sexual activity lists that help partners express preferences without direct confrontation.

For women experiencing painful intercourse—a common menopausal symptom—the message is clear: stop. Expanding our definition of sex beyond penetration becomes increasingly important as bodies change. As Brooke puts it, "Women in their 40s and 50s are very empowered and want more pleasure. They know they can have it."

Want to learn more about navigating menopause and enhancing intimacy in midlife? Visit About Brooke Bralove | Bethesda, MD or follow @brookebralove_psychotherapy on social media for resources that can help you reclaim pleasure and well-being during this transformative life stage.

This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, please contact 988 or seek a treatment provider in your area.

If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6

Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at Beth@makewordsmatterforgood.com

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Support the show

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What if the most powerful therapy happens not in "safe spaces," but in "brave spaces"? This game-changing conversation with Barbara Sheehan-Zeidler, a licensed professional counselor from Colorado, challenges our fundamental understanding of the therapeutic relationship.

Barbara introduces us to the profound concept of brave space through Micky ScottBey Jones's poem, which begins: "Together we will create brave space, because there is no such thing as a safe space." This perspective shift transforms how therapists approach their work—moving from attempting to create perfect safety to fostering courage and resilience alongside their clients.

Using the powerful metaphor of a lighthouse, Barbara explains how therapists can maintain their steady presence while clients navigate the rocky waters of their emotional experiences. Rather than rushing to rescue clients from their struggles, therapists can provide a constant beacon that helps clients find their own way back to regulation. This approach honors clients' innate capacity for healing while preventing therapist burnout.

The distinction between heroism and courage emerges as a central theme. "Heroism is when I go slay your dragon," Barbara explains, "while courage and being brave is watching you slay your own dragon." This perspective empowers clients to develop true self-agency rather than dependency on the therapist. Similarly, the simple addition of the word "enough" when asking "Are you okay enough now?" acknowledges that healing happens incrementally and gives clients permission to be works in progress.

For therapists and anyone in helping roles, this conversation offers a sustainable approach to supporting others without sacrificing your own well-being. Learn why authentic presence matters more than perfect technique, and how creating brave spaces allows both therapists and clients to show up more fully in the healing journey.

For more about Barbara's incredible work, check out her website: Meet Barbara - Creative & Caring Counseling

This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, please contact 988 or seek a treatment provider in your area.

If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6

Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at Beth@makewordsmatterforgood.com

Support the show

www.bethtrammell.com

Send us a text

Have you ever watched a TikTok about ADHD symptoms and thought, "That's totally me!" or found yourself wondering if your social discomfort might actually be diagnosable anxiety? You're not alone.

In this thought-provoking conversation with returning guest Dr. Tim Hess, we dive into the increasingly common phenomenon of mental health self-diagnosis. We explore how our success in destigmatizing mental health conversations has led to an unexpected consequence: the transformation of clinical diagnoses into personal identities and social labels.

The easy access of mental health information through social media has created a world where anyone can share "facts" about psychological conditions, leading many to adopt diagnostic labels without professional assessment. We discuss the powerful appeal of having a name for your experiences—how a diagnosis can bring validation, community, and in some contexts, accommodations or relief from expectations. But we also wrestle with the critical question of "clinically significant impairment" and what happens when normative human experiences become pathologized.

Dr. Hess shares insightful observations from his work in college mental health, where he frequently encounters students who arrive with firmly-held self-diagnoses. We examine the paradoxical position mental health professionals now face: historically emphasizing respect for clients' self-knowledge while also maintaining diagnostic expertise. This tension raises profound questions about gatekeeping, accessibility, and how we respond to human distress in institutional settings.

Whether you've found yourself researching symptoms online or you're a professional navigating these waters with clients, this conversation offers nuanced perspectives on finding balance between validation and accuracy, between personal experience and professional assessment. Listen in as we explore one of the most complex challenges facing mental health work today.

This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, please contact 988 or seek a treatment provider in your area.

If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6

Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at Beth@makewordsmatterforgood.com

Support the show

www.bethtrammell.com