Frequently Asked Questions

what is a menopause doula?

A menopause doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to individuals as they navigate the transition into the permanent state of menopause. Similar to a birth doula who assists during childbirth, a menopause doula offers assistance and reassurance during this significant life phase.

Who can benefit from a Menopause Doula?

  1. Individuals Who Will Go Through Menopause: I support those who want to prepare for menopause or are experiencing the first signs of perimenopause in their late 30s and early 40s. Research shows that those who enter menopause prepared and feeling knowledgeable generally have a more positive experience. Mind Shifting at this stage can be useful to address feelings of overwhelm from doing it all. I want you to feel the power of saying ‘no’ to what does not serve you.

  2. Individuals Transitioning to Menopause: I support those in the thick of physical and emotional symptoms in their late 40s and early 50s. I provide education, coping strategies, emotional support and can create a holistic wellness plan. The women who have me on their health team feel better equipped to advocate for themselves as well as to trust their experience. Mind Shifting at this stage can be useful to address change, feelings of helplessness, and to get clarity on how you want to write your next chapter. I want you to feel like you are empowered and have options.

  3. Individuals Who Have Gone Through Menopause: I support those who are menopausal, or in their mid 50s through 80s, with the ongoing and lifelong impacts of estrogen withdrawal. This includes bone health, heart health, cognitive health, and genito-urinary health. My clients’ in this age bracket are often surprised that they do not necessarily have to accept their symptoms as inevitable aging. Just because something is common, does not mean that it is normal. Mind Shifting at this stage can be useful to address ageism and feelings of helplessness. I want you to feel that you can age powerfully.

  4. Family and Friends: Menopause impacts not only the individual going through it, but also their inner circle. I educate and involve family members in the process, helping them provide better support and understand what their loved one is going through. Mind Shifting at this stage can be useful to address unhelpful narratives. I want you to feel connected.

  5. Healthcare Professionals: My work complements the care provided by healthcare professionals like physicians, nurse practitioners, naturopaths, pharmacists and therapists. I help your clientèle where you cannot by offering specialized menopause wellness education and additional emotional support, as well as teaching them self-advocacy and appointment preparation so that they are engaged patients.

  6. Employers and Organizations: I work with employers to create menopause-friendly workplaces by offering education, resources, and support programs for employees going through this transition. I also offer workshops to gyms, fitness studios, and community organizations on a wide variety of topics.

how can a menopause doula help?

The menopause transition is more than just hot flashes. There are over a hundred potential symptoms in perimenopause and no two women will experience their transition in exactly the same way. I offer a range of services tailored to support your unique needs. This may include: helping you understand the changes associated with menopause and what is or is not normal; providing menstrual cycle and HRT education so that you better understand what is happening and can communicate well with your healthcare provider; exploring the wide range of coping strategies for symptoms and honing in on what will work for you; guidance on self-care practices; and Mind Shifting areas where you feel stuck.

I have first-hand experience of many of the ups and downs of perimenopause. I do not want anyone else to experience what I experienced or to feel alone in their journey. I aim to create a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss your experiences, vulnerabilities and concerns surrounding menopause. I empower my clients to make informed decisions about their health and well-being during this transformative time in their lives.

what is outside a menopause doula’s scope of practice?

A menopause doula typically focuses on providing emotional support, education, and guidance to individuals preparing for or navigating the menopausal transition and its aftermath. While I play a crucial role in offering reassurance, holistic care and helping clients manage symptoms, there are areas that fall outside my scope of practice.

  1. Medical Diagnoses and Treatment: I do not diagnose medical conditions or prescribe treatments. I provide general information about menopause-related issues but do not offer medical advice or interventions. I will recommend what to speak to your healthcare provider about or refer you to see someone like a pelvic floor physiotherapist.

  2. Physical Examinations: Conducting physical exams or any form of medical assessment is beyond the scope of a menopause doula's practice. I do not perform procedures like blood tests or imaging scans. However, I will suggest which ones to discuss with your doctor, NP or ND.

  3. Medication Management: Menopause doulas do not prescribe medications or adjust existing medication regimens. Any decisions regarding pharmaceutical treatments should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider.

  4. Nutritional or Exercise Prescriptions: While menopause doulas may offer guidance on lifestyle changes, they do not create personalized nutrition or exercise plans. Referrals to dietitians or fitness professionals may be recommended for specific interventions.

  5. Psychotherapy or Counselling: Providing formal psychotherapy or counselling services is outside the scope of a menopause doula's practice. I offer emotional support, peer counselling, Mind Shifting and resources, and I refer clients to mental health professionals for therapy if warranted.


how do i know if i am peri/menopausal?

The first signs of perimenopause can occur in your late 30s or early 40s, coincide with the post-partum period and may persist for as many as 10-15 years. It often starts with cycles shortening and becoming heavier, but not necessarily. There are over a 100 symptoms associated with the menopausal transition and each person has their own pattern. Some doctors will test Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), as they are high after menopause. However, this stage is characterized by fluctuating hormones and any test will be a snapshot of the day and time. If you are in your 40s and feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you, you are likely perimenopausal. That being said, you always want to investigate other potential causes for what you are experiencing, for example a thyroid condition or anemia.

how can mind shifting help me navigate the menopausal transition?

While most of what you will encounter on the subject of peri/menopause will focus on physical symptoms like hot flashes, this only scratches the surface of the transformation you are experiencing. Works like Lisa Mosconi’s The Menopause Brain: The New Science Empowering Women to Navigate This Pivotal Transition with Knowledge and Confidence, and Dr. Louann Brizedine’s The Upgrade: How the Female Brain Gets Better and Stronger in Midlife and Beyond, are teaching us that the menopause transition is a re-wiring of our brains. Menopause is not simply the end of menstruation, it is an alteration in how we think, feel and experience the world. To brush this off as “moods” is a gross understatement that does not acknowledge that 63% of women report “not feeling like myself” any more. To further complicate things, anyone who has experience PMS or PMDD call tell you that the feelings and thoughts that consume them in their luteal phase are true, but negatively amplified. What are you supposed to do when this state lasts 1 whole year or even 10? When you want to tank your relationships and career simultaneously? When you look in the mirror and don’t recognize who is looking back? Mind Shifting is a powerful tool to reframe these problems and your sense of self so that you can embrace midlife with confidence.

what happens in a mind shifting session?

Mind Shifting is not therapy or coaching or adjusting your mindset, which all focus on your behaviour and what you feel and think consciously. It is a technique to find where you are held back by subconscious thoughts and beliefs, and then de-couple the emotional charge from them so they just don’t feel like problems any more. In my experience, menopause is a time when a lot of this subconscious content rises to the surface. A session, which is a stand-alone service from doula support, starts with defining your problem. Then you close your eyes and I lead you through a series of questions with a somatic component, not unlike a guided sensory meditation. There are no right or wrong answers here, what is important is to answer the first thing that pops into your head. The series will repeat until you do not feel that there is a problem. This process can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the issue. Then you open your eyes to answer integration questions, reflect on the experience and set new intentions for yourself. Often, at the end of the session, clients report feeling surprisingly calm with a new sense of clarity on the issue. In the following days, they find themselves having new insights and feelings about the issue; and new thoughts lead to new actions and different choices. What has happened is that they have shifted their perception of, and resistance to, the problem. A single session can be really impactful, but 4 to 6 sessions will better address deeper layers and associated problems. Have more questions? Book a free consultation above.

what are your qualifications?

I am certified in Holistic Nutrition and Herbology by Natural Health Consultant (NHC) Institute, Montreal and as a Menopause Doula by Doula Canada. I also am an Associate Member of The Menopause Society, and have decades of experience in research, chronic health and community building. I will complete Mind Shift Academy certification in 2025.

how do i know if this is the kind of support that i need?

If you are navigating the journey of menopause and finding it challenging, I encourage you to book a free consultation. There is no award for trying to tough it out, and annoying symptoms are actually a call to action.

I provide emotional, physical, and informational support to you as you go through your menopause transition. I listen to you intently, and then offer guidance and a wealth of resources to help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as hot or cold flashes, sleep disturbances, heavy bleeding, urine leakage or vaginal dryness, I can help you explore coping strategies and holistic approaches to manage these issues. I also offer education on hormone replacement therapy, hysterectomy recovery, alternative treatments, and lifestyle adjustments that may alleviate your symptoms. If you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore, I will Mind Shift your problems so that you can find your way back to yourself.

Whether you are seeking reassurance, practical tips, or simply someone to talk to about your menopause experience, I provide empathetic support tailored to your unique needs.

are menopause doula services covered by insurance?

In a word, maybe. In 2023, Sun Life partnered with the Menopause Foundation of Canada to help address gaps in women’s healthcare and stigma in the workplace. In 2024, Sun Life approved Doula Canada certified doulas to be on the list of approved providers whose clients can use their benefits for coverage IF they have that coverage in their plan. Currently, the coverage in question seems to apply to the area of fertility, conception and surrogacy. Desjardins now offers “Women’s Health Focus,” a range of complementary treatments to support women through menopause. Other plans offer Employee Assisted Plans (EAPs) for stress management, or health coaching. The role of a Menopause Doula is relatively new but is completely in line with many health insurance companies’ stated values around supporting midlife women’s health. If you have have HSA, you can inquire as to whether Menopause Doula services will qualify under paramedical services. It is likely that these services have not been claimed yet, but if women start advocating for coverage it is likely to follow. Please speak to your insurance provider or your HR team, we all deserve peri/menopausal benefits.