Psychotherapy for Menopause and Perimenopause

Finding steadiness and self-compassion during a challenging time through virtual therapy available across Ontario

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When most people think of menopause, they picture hot flashes, night sweats, or shifting metabolism. These physical symptoms are challenging, but they only reveal part of the story…

Menopause also affects our mental health in a big way! For many, it feels like a reckoning: a time when the brain feels different, when old coping strategies no longer work, and when questions about identity, purpose, and self-worth rise to the surface. All topped with a side of insomnia because, why not!

If you have found yourself thinking, “Why does everything suddenly feel harder?”. You are not alone.

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Common Mental Health Shifts During Menopause

Hormonal changes can impact the brain just as much as the rest of the body. You might notice new or intensified symptoms such as:

  • Memory lapses and “tip-of-the-tongue” moments

  • Mental fogginess and reduced focus

  • Difficulty multitasking or organizing thoughts

  • Sensory overwhelm (noise, screens, busy spaces might become harder to tolerate)

  • Low energy, or feeling “tired but wired”

  • Sleep difficulties

  • Anxiety or mood swings

You are not making this up. These are real shifts linked to biological changes that can leave even the most resilient among us feeling unsettled.

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Maria Legault smiling, wearing a blue blouse and white pants, sitting on a white chair or sofa, reading a book in a bright, modern room with green plants in the background.

How Can Psychotherapy Support You During Menopause and Perimenopause

Therapy offers a compassionate space to navigate the mental, emotional, and even spiritual shifts of this transition. Together, we can:

  • Name and normalize your experience so you can step out of shame and into understanding

  • Support your executive functioning with practical strategies for focus and organization

  • Process grief and loss around changing identity, roles, or abilities

  • Explore gains, like greater authenticity, wisdom, and freedom

  • Develop nervous system tools for stress, sleep, and overwhelm

  • Reframe your story of menopause into one of growth, recalibration, and renewal

Menopause can be seen as not just something to simply “get through,” but as an opportunity for deep recalibration. Together we can work on clarifying your values, goals and coping strategies for this next chapter of your life.

Maria Legault walking on a beach

You can work towards meeting yourself where you are today.

Let’s be real, you aren’t the same person you were 20 years ago, and in some ways, that could be a good thing!

This is your time to step into your wisdom, own the strength that comes from your experience, and embrace the being you have become.

Midlife doesn’t need to feel like a crisis.

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What to Expect at Spring Bloom Psychotherapy

  • Sessions are 50 minutes

  • We meet on a secure online platform so you can access support from the comfort of your home anywhere across Ontario.

  • We typically meet weekly or biweekly.

  • We might talk through a situation that’s bothering you, explore patterns from your past, check in with your body, or reflect on how you relate to yourself and others.

  • There’s no right way to be in therapy, just your way.

  • The current rate is $120 per session.

Registered Psychotherapist Maria Legault sitting on a chair in her office

Maria Legault’s Psychotherapy Approach

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My approach is trauma-informed and holistic. Therapy with me is about deep work that helps you reconnect with who you really are.

It creates a space rooted in curiosity, empathy, and safety where all parts of you will be welcome.

It looks beyond your symptoms to explore your patterns, your story, and your strengths.

This approach blend psychodynamic, trauma-informed, humanistic, somatic, mindful, and poly-vagal perspectives to support your healing.

Therapy for Menopause and Perimenopause

Online Across Ontario

Menopause can feel messy, disorienting, and lonely, but it can also be a doorway to a more grounded and authentic life. With support, this transition can become a time of healing and renewal.

If what you’ve read here resonates with you, I would love to connect. I invite you to book a free consultation to see if therapy might be the right support for you in this season.

Read this blog post to find out more about a holistic approach to menopause and mental health:

A Holistic Approach to Mental Health During Menopause

Contact Me

You don’t need to navigate this journey alone. If you’re feeling stuck, I’d love to help!

3 EASY WAYS TO CONTACT ME

Email: maria@springbloom.ca 

Call: 416-823-1648 and leave a message on my confidential voicemail. I will do my best to respond to you within 48 hours.

Form: You can fill out the form to help me understand your needs and how I can best support you

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Working Together: 3 Simple Steps

    1. Reach Out
    Getting started is easy:

    Just fill out my contact form, send me an email or give me a call.

    I will get back to you within 48 hours to arrange a free consultation.

    2. Initial Consultation
    We will meet virtually to talk about what’s bringing you to therapy, explore your goals, and get a sense of how we might work together. It’s a no-pressure space to see if the fit feels right for you.

    3. Begin the Work
    We will start your therapy journey at a pace that feels safe and supportive.

    The work can be short-term or ongoing, whatever feels most helpful to you.

    Together, we will explore your inner world, tend to what hurts, and build toward more clarity, self-compassion, and connection.

  • Do you ever feel stuck, like no matter how hard you try, things just aren’t clicking?

    Maybe it’s struggles in your relationships, work stress, low confidence, or that constant worry you can’t seem to shake.

    Perhaps boundaries feel impossible to set, or past experiences still weigh heavy on your heart.

    Whether you’re carrying the pain of a hard childhood, longing for deeper connections, or simply craving personal growth, psychotherapy is an investment in yourself- a chance to explore what’s really going on, heal old wounds, and uncover new paths forward. Because you deserve to feel aligned, empowered, and free.

    If this resonates, I’d love to connect. Please reach out for a complimentary consultation to see if therapy feels like the right fit for you.

  • I offer virtual holistic psychotherapy grounded in five years of psychodynamic training—which is really just a fancy way of saying that I help you uncover those sneaky unconscious patterns that might be holding you back.

    Together, we will work on boosting your self-awareness, navigating emotions, and understanding how your attachment history and early life experiences have shaped you. It’s all about helping you create deeper connections, both with yourself and with others, while moving toward the kind of life and relationships that you truly want.

    I also weave in mindfulness, self-compassion, Parts Work, nervous system awareness, creative and somatic approaches to help untangle the knots of trauma, shame, and that nagging feeling of never being good enough.

    Every method I use is backed by research, but more importantly, it’s designed to meet you where you are at.

    If any of this speaks to you, I would love to invite you to a complimentary introductory session.  It is a chance to connect, explore what is  possible, and see if we are a good fit for your journey.

  • Although each client is unique and no outcomes are guaranteed, therapy can offer a safe space to  dive deeper into the patterns, emotions, and experiences that shape your life- so you can break free from what’s holding you back. It’s not just about managing symptoms; it’s about uncovering the root causes of struggles like anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges.

    Through this process, you can gain a clearer understanding of yourself, heal emotional wounds, and learn to navigate life with more confidence, connection, and authenticity.

    It’s about creating lasting change and stepping into the most empowered version of yourself.

    And sometimes, it’s just nice to have someone in your corner- to remind you that you don’t have to do it all on your own.

    If any of this resonates, I would love to connect. Reach out for a complimentary consultation- it’s a no-pressure way to see how therapy could support you on your journey.

  • Each session lasts 50 minutes and is held online.

    This makes it easy to connect from the comfort of your own space, anywhere in Ontario, while ensuring a safe and confidential environment for our work together.

  • The frequency of our sessions is all about what works best for you. Many people find that weekly or bi-weekly appointments help to build momentum. You are welcome to continue therapy for as long as it feels helpful.

  • The current rate is 120$ per 50-minute session.

    Payments are made by  e-transfer or credit card. 

    Currently, all of my sliding scale spots are filled.

  • I am a Registered Psychotherapist (qualifying), which means that many insurance plans may offer partial or full coverage for sessions.

    Please check your plan to ensure Registered Psychotherapists (qualifying) are included. It’s also helpful to know how much coverage you have per year, any per-session limits, and when your plan renews.

    While I do not currently bill insurance directly, I can provide receipts for you to submit to your insurance if you have out-of-network benefits.

  • I understand that life can be unpredictable. If you need to reschedule or cancel, please provide at least 48 hours’ notice.

    This time is reserved just for you and without such notice, you will be charged for the full session fee.

  • My practice isn’t equipped to provide emergency services. 

    If you’re experiencing a crisis or life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department immediately. 

    You can also:

    Reach out to Crisis Services Canada at 1.833.456.4566

    Connect with the Distress Centre Helpline at 1.416.408.HELP (4357) or 905.688.3711.

    Send a text message to 741741

  • Degrees:

    5-year Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Ontario Psychotherapy and Counselling College

    Doctorat en Études et pratique des arts, Université du Québec à Montréal

    Master of Fine Arts, University of Guelph

    Bachelor of Fine Arts, Concordia University

    Memberships:

    College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario: 19041

    Canadian Association Association for Psychodynamic Therapy

    Trainings:

    Working with Trauma and the Body 2 day training: the Fundamentals of Somatic Therapy, Wilfrid Laurier University

    Moving from Self Criticism to Self-Acceptance with Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy 2-day training: Wilfrid Laurier University

    The “Not Good Enough” Treatment Plan: A Certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist 2-day Training: PESI

    Working with Core Beliefs of “Never Good Enough: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine

    How to work with Shame: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine

    How to Work with Clients who Struggle with an Inner Critic: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine

    The Neurobiology of Attachment: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine

    The Healing Trauma Program: Soundstrue

    Meditation and Psychotherapy course: Soundstrue

    200 hrs Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga Space

    300 hrs Yoga Psyche Soul, Ashley Turner 

    Trauma Informed Yoga, Hala Khouri

    Workshops:

    Workshops in Parts Work, Somatic Interventions, Intimate Partner Violence, Diversity and Anti-oppression, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Diversity, Psychopharmacology, Ethics and Sexual Abuse recovery: Ontario Psychotherapy and Counselling College

    Courses:

    Trauma Recovery course: Soundstrue

    Mindful Self Compassion course:  Toronto Centre for Mindfulness Studies

    Introduction to Art Therapy course and Art Education courses, Concordia University

    Yoga for Mental Health, Ashley Turner

If you have any other questions that aren’t covered here, feel free to get in touch. I’m here to help you navigate this journey and look forward to supporting you along the way!