Perimenopausal Health · Cabarita Beach & Online
Perimenopausal Health Counselling in Cabarita Beach & Online
Support Through the In-Between
Perimenopause can be far more than a physical transition. It can bring changes in mood, sleep, energy, confidence and sense of self, sometimes arriving alongside other midlife shifts in relationships, work and identity.
At Rikki-May Nielsen, I offer a calm, relational space to make sense of what you are experiencing, explore the emotional landscape of this chapter, and find ways to move through it with greater awareness and self-compassion.
In-person counselling is available in Cabarita Beach, NSW, with online counselling across Australia.
Understanding Perimenopause
When the Ground Beneath You Feels Like It's Shifting
Perimenopause is the transitional stretch of years before menopause, and its effects are rarely only physical. For many people, it is also a time of emotional and psychological change.
You might notice your mood responding differently, your sleep becoming unsettled, or your sense of who you are feeling less certain than it once did.
These experiences are not a sign of weakness or failure. They can be understood within the context of your history, relationships, the demands you carry and the wider story of this chapter of life.
You might recognise:
- Mood shifts that feel unfamiliar or hard to predict
- Waves of anxiety, irritability or low mood
- Difficulty sleeping and waking unrested
- Brain fog, forgetfulness or trouble concentrating
- Grief for earlier chapters and uncertainty about what's next
- Changes in confidence, sense of self or body image
- Shifting relationship dynamics and connection needs
- Feeling 'in between' — no longer one thing, not yet another
These are examples of lived experience, not diagnostic criteria. Physical symptoms of perimenopause are best explored with your GP or treating clinician.
My Approach
Making Sense of This Chapter
Rather than focusing only on symptoms, I work with you to explore how perimenopause is being experienced across your inner life and relationships.
My approach is relational, collaborative, trauma-informed and grounded in Gestalt psychotherapy. Together, we can become curious about the patterns that emerge, what they may have helped you manage, and what might support greater flexibility in the present.
Counselling moves at a pace that respects your circumstances, preferences and sense of safety. There is no expectation to have the right words or know exactly where to begin.
Step 01: Awareness
Notice how this chapter is showing up in your thoughts, emotions, body, energy and relationships.
Step 02: Understanding
Explore the experiences, history and patterns that may shape how perimenopause is being lived.
Step 03: New Possibilities
Develop greater choice in how you respond to what this season asks of you and what matters most now.
Considering perimenopausal health counselling?Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation
Who I Work With
Support for the Lived Experience of Perimenopause
Perimenopause rarely arrives alone. It often coincides with other midlife transitions, caring responsibilities, relationship changes or a reassessment of work and meaning.
I support adults moving through perimenopause in a range of circumstances, including:
- Navigating the emotional landscape of perimenopause
- Anxiety, irritability or low mood emerging or changing in midlife
- Sleep disruption and exhaustion affecting daily life
- Identity, confidence and body-image changes
- Grief, life review and reimagining what's next
- Relationship, intimacy and connection changes
- The cumulative weight of midlife responsibilities
Counselling is offered as psychological and emotional support, working alongside, rather than in place of, the medical care you may be exploring with your GP or treating clinician.
The Counselling Experience
A Space to Pause in the In-Between
You do not need to arrive with a clear explanation of what is happening.
We can begin with what feels most present for you. Some sessions may involve exploring emotions or experiences that have been difficult to name. Others may focus on noticing patterns, understanding relationships or finding steadier ways to meet the demands of this season.
The work is collaborative. Your experiences, boundaries and goals help shape the direction and pace of counselling.
Where We Can Meet
Perimenopausal Health Counselling in Cabarita Beach and Online
Rikki-May Nielsen offers in-person perimenopausal health counselling in Cabarita Beach on the Tweed Coast, welcoming clients from Kingscliff, Casuarina, Bogangar, Hastings Point, Pottsville and surrounding communities.
If attending in person is not convenient, online counselling is available across Australia, offering a flexible way to access support from a private space that suits you.
2/47 Tweed Coast Road, Cabarita Beach / Bogangar, NSW 2488
For people in Cabarita Beach, Kingscliff and surrounding Tweed Coast communities.
Australia-wide
Attend counselling remotely from a private and suitable location.
Common Questions
Questions About Perimenopausal Health Counselling
Meet Your Counsellor
Counselling with Rikki-May Nielsen
I'm Rikki-May Nielsen, a psychotherapist and PACFA Registered Practising Counsellor. My work is grounded in relational, trauma-informed practice and Gestalt psychotherapy.
I value genuine connection, curiosity and creating an environment where you can feel heard without judgement.
Whether perimenopause has felt like a slow shift or a sudden change, we can begin by exploring what is happening for you and what might support you through it.
Psychotherapist and PACFA Registered Practising Counsellor
Registration No. 33329
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Taking the First Step
You Don't Have to Navigate This Season Alone
Reaching out can feel like a significant step, especially at a time when so much already feels in motion.
If you're considering counselling, you're welcome to get in touch and explore whether working together feels right for you.
I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation, so you can get a feel for how I work before deciding whether to book a session.