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Women’s Issues

A myriad of issues bring people into counseling: grief, parenting, couples issues, basic life stressors, depression and anxiety to name only a few. However, women sometimes have specific needs that can benefit from counseling.

Despite all the changes that have occurred over the past several decades improving women's position in society, we still sometimes find ourselves in unique circumstances. Women are often the primary caregivers to both the younger and older generations. This extra stress can often squeeze our resources and put added burdens on our already overloaded schedules. Add increased workloads, the stress of finances, relationships, and any number of other pressures, and sometimes the stresses of life can seem overwhelming.

Additionally, statistics indicate that more than one out of three women experiences some kind of child abuse! Sometimes these issues can lay dormant for decades, and then for no apparent reason, resurface, affecting our relationships, self esteem, and general mental health.

Depression and anxiety can exacerbate all of the other life stressors, causing feelings of despair hopelessness.

Fortunately, mental health therapy has improved and changed over the last several decades. Therapists are developing new tools that make therapy much more effective, and sometimes even quicker and less emotionally taxing. In addition to "talk therapy," we now have Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Restructuring (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and many others that use new understanding and technology.

You may wish to make an appointment with a therapist and get an initial consultation to see how a therapist can devise an individualized treatment plan to deal with your issues in a safe and respectful environment.

by Jane Plattner, LCSW, with Westside Behavioral Care