What is Cycle-Centred Therapy?
At Mindful Cycles, therapy begins with Menstrual Cycle Awareness—learning to track not just physical symptoms but also shifts in energy, emotions, thought patterns, self-worth, and mental well-being throughout your cycle.
Each phase—pre-ovulation, ovulation, pre-menstrual, and menstrual—can bring unique challenges and strengths. By understanding these patterns, we can work with your cycle to enhance mental health and personal growth. I’ll introduce tailored strategies for each phase while integrating evidence-based psychotherapy approaches to deepen and support your journey.
Who is Cycle-Centred Therapy For?
Cycle-centred Therapy is for anyone who:
✓ Has a menstrual cycle
✓ Is noticing changes in their mental health throughout their cycle and may want to learn more about how to work with this
✓ Experiences specific hormonally related mental health concerns such as severe Severe Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) or Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
✓ Experiences menstrual pain (endometriosis, chronic menstrual migraines, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) + more) and experiencing mental health impacts of their condition
✓ Is entering into perimenopause or menopause and is noticing changes in both their cycle and mental health
✓ Is curious about how the menstrual cycle could support their overall wellness and deepen their knowledge of themselves
What is supported by Cycle-Centred Therapy?
Depression
Anxiety
Impacts of Trauma
Severe Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Perimenopausal changes to mental health
Parenting Challenges
Emotional Regulation Challenges
Personal Selfgrowth
Relationship Concerns/Boundaries
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Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy
Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) focuses on the intricate connection between emotions, thoughts, and interpersonal relationships. By fostering a deep understanding of one's emotional experience and attachment history, individuals can experience transformative change, that can lead to improved emotional well-being and more fulfilling relationships.
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Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) is a psychotherapeutic approach that integrates elements from attachment theory, emotion theory, and neuroscience. It places a strong emphasis on the power of emotional experiences within the therapeutic relationship and aims to facilitate change by fostering the innate capacity for healing and growth.
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Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SPI) recognizes the interconnectedness of the mind and body in the experience of trauma. By incorporating somatic and mindfulness techniques, SP aims to support individuals in processing and integrating traumatic experiences, creating a sense of safety, empowerment, and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This type of therapy involves learning to closely track your menstrual cycle, a practice called Menstrual Cycle Awareness. Not just for physical symptoms but for changes in energy levels, emotions, feelings of self-worth or self-criticism and other aspects of mental health. We will then use what we learn about your unique cycle experience to find supportive therapeutic tools and practices to make positive changes to your mental health as it ebbs and flows throughout the cycle.
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At its core, cycle-centric therapy is about learning to track and notice where we are at on any given day and learning to be ok with that. Some people have found it beneficial to learn about cycle tracking and mental health even in the absence of a typical cycle. Coming into a more positive relationship with our menstrual cycle and cyclical nature (even if it doesn’t look the way we want it to) can be beneficial for mental health.
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Many women who are using hormonal methods of birth control still find it helpful to track their cycles for physical and mental health symptoms. Although some of the shifts throughout the cycle (both positive and negative) are less pronounced when on birth control, I am always happy to work with women who are using birth control to help deepen cycle awareness and support menstrual cycle-related mental health concerns.
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My area of practice is not specialized in post-partum mental health and I would encourage anyone who is struggling with this important topic to find a mental health practitioner with a focus in this area. If a breastfeeding person would like to learn about cycle-based mental health in preparation for the return of their cycles, I would be happy and able to support with this.
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While I do not have a specialized focus in Trans, non-binary, and LGBTQ2A mental health, if a trans or non-binary person is experiencing mental health challenges as a result of their menstrual cycle, I will of course support with this as cycle-centric therapy can be beneficial for anyone with a menstrual cycle.
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As a psychologist, I work specifically with the mental health aspects of the menstrual cycle, and speaking to the physical and medical components of menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause is outside of my scope of practice. I strongly encourage clients to connect with their family doctors, naturopathic doctors, or other allied health professionals for support in this area. I am happy to collaborate and consult with these other health professionals with clients' permission.
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$220/hr
As a psychologist, my fees are based on the fee schedule set out by the Psychologists Association of Alberta. The current recommended rate is $220/hour.
If you have extended health benefits coverage, psychologist fees are usually covered in full or part by these plans.
