Supporting Clients Through Perimenopause: Approaches and Interventions for Psychotherapists
Presented by
Kara Cruz, LMFT
Friday, December 4th, 2026
9:00 am - 11:15 am PT
2 CEs - On Zoom
Course Description
Research has found that between 20-40% of women may experience depression during menopause. While most are more familiar the physical symptoms, it is important to learn about the emotional and psychological impacts. This is important, as all biological women who live long enough will experience menopause.
In this live, two hour, virtual, interactive training we cover Perimenopause/Menopause and how this phase of life impacts a woman's mental health and overall wellness. This training provides an overview of the psychological, emotional and physical impacts of perimenopause and menopause on women's mental health. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the life stage transitions across perimenopause, menopause and post menopause and how these changes intersect with mood, anxiety, sleep and overall functioning. Participants will have the opportunity to explore appropriate screening questions, interventions, referral strategies and resource connections for clients.
Educational Goals
This training will cover a clinically actionable framework for supporting clients through perimenopause by understanding the interplay of hormonal changes, mood regulation, and nervous system responses. The training will clarify how perimenopausal transitions can maintain or exacerbate anxiety, sleep disturbances, and emotional dysregulation, and will demonstrate how evidence-informed interventions, increased self-advocacy skills, and practical coping strategies can be integrated into therapy to enhance long-term emotional wellness and quality of life.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Differentiate between perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause by describing at least one defining characteristic of each stage.
- Identify at least four common physical, emotional, and/or psychological symptoms associated with the menopausal transition and menopause.
- Identify at least two appropriate clinical interventions and one appropriate referral or self-advocacy strategy.
- Identify at least two clinical considerations for providing affirming care to cisgender, transgender, and gender-diverse clients experiencing the menopausal transition.
Diversity Focus
While menopause is often framed through the lens of cisgender women’s experiences, this course acknowledges that transgender and gender-diverse individuals, particularly those on hormone therapy or who have undergone medical transition, may also experience menopause-related symptoms. The training highlights the lack of research in this area and emphasizes the need for inclusive, affirming care. Additionally, the course explores how cultural beliefs, systemic disparities, and social determinants of health influence how individuals understand, access, and experience care during the menopausal transition. Clinicians will be encouraged to approach treatment with cultural humility and to adapt interventions to reflect the unique needs, identities, and values of each client.
About Our Speaker
Kara Cruz, LMFT
Kara Cruz, LMFT is an Neurodivergent (ADHD) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C), EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ and Continuing Education (CE) trainer. She is a private practice owner, educator, and clinical supervisor with over a decade of experience serving women navigating complex trauma, ADHD, and reproductive mental health; including perinatal, postpartum, and perimenopause transitions.
Kara specializes in working with individuals and facilitating groups for women who are impacted by trauma, mood and anxiety conditions, and hormonal mental health conditions. In addition to her clinical work, she provides continuing education and professional training on topics such as Women and ADHD, Perinatal Mental Health, Perimenopause, and (complex) Trauma-Informed Care. She is the founder of Kara Cruz Psychotherapy & Wellness, where she provides individual and group psychotherapy and supports therapists and helping professionals through consultation, training, courses, and speaking engagements. She created Group Creators Membership, a community guiding professionals through the steps of designing, planning and launching impactful signature therapy and wellness groups. She created and leads support and wellness groups for women, therapists and healing professionals.
Location
Zoom Meeting. Requires pre-registration with Zoom using the instructions provided in your RECAMFT confirmation email in order to get your personal Zoom Join Link.
Registration
RSVP here. Please note that once you have RSVP'd for this event, you will receive a link to register for the Zoom Meeting. You must complete this second Zoom-registration step to gain access to the event link.
Pricing
1) Registration for All RECAMFT Members - no charge
2) Reciprocal registration for members of Marin CAMFT (CODE REQUIRED) - no charge
3) Other CAMFT Members - Licensed - $30
4) Other CAMFT Members - Pre-Licensed - $21
5) Non-CAMFT Members (therapists who are not members of CAMFT) - $36
Training Schedule and Attendance Requirements
Please note, this is a 2-CE training, comprised of 2 hours of training plus time for RECAMFT announcements and a break. You must be logged on at the beginning of the training, be present during the event (including responding to attendance checks by coming on camera, verbally replying, and/or replying in the chat), and stay logged on for the full duration, to end at 11:15am, in order to earn the CEs. If your camera is off the entire time, and RECAMFT cannot verify you were physically present at your computer throughout the training, then RECAMFT cannot issue a CE certificate, as we would not be able to show that the BBS requirements for your participation were met.
Recording
RECAMFT intends to record this event, and assuming no technical hurdles, will be producing it as an on-demand course to be published at the RECAMFT CE Center, including the ability to earn CEs. RECAMFT members will have access there for free. Non-members and reciprocal chapter members will be able to purchase access. Access to the recording is not included with any registration for this "live" (real-time on Zoom) training. If you know that you will not be able to attend on the event date listed above, please do not register for this training and instead wait until the on-demand version is published. Registrations are managed separately and cannot be transferred.
Image by Freddie Addery
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Redwood Empire Chapter CAMFT (Provider #57173) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Redwood Empire Chapter CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
- Disability Accommodation: To request an accommodation for a disability, please email info@recamft.org.
- Refunds: Refunds may be requested up to 7 days before the event by contacting info@recamft.org. No refunds are given beginning 7 days prior to the event. If a registrant cannot attend the event due to a mandatory evacuation or Public Safety Power Shut-off the day of the event, they can request and receive a refund with verification of address.
- CE Certificate: You must be physically present at your computer and watching and/or listening to the training while logged onto the zoom meeting for the entire presentation, and complete a post test and an evaluation to receive your CE credit certificate. Within a week after the conclusion of this educational event, once RECAMFT has processed attendance, an email with a link to the test and evaluation form will be sent to all participants whose physical presence during the online meeting is verified. Once you complete and submit your evaluation, you will have immediate access and be able to print or save your CE Certificate. This course meets the qualifications for 2 hrs of continuing education (CE) credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
- Notice of Recording: Whenever possible, our CE events are recorded or filmed and may appear on our website. Your participation in this event by registering and attending indicates your approval for your likeness to appear in the recording, if any.
- Grievances: Direct grievances to info@recamft.org, and/or the chapter president at president@recamft.org
