The Periprofessional is your supportive ally in navigating perimenopause, helping you understand the changes occurring in your body to feel better.
Are you considering booking a session? Here's a list of frequently asked questions to help you decide if it's right for you.
What’s this all about?
What is meeting with you like?
It’s an opportunity to connect virtually 1:1 with a compassionate perimenopause expert. Do you feel dismissed by your doctor, made to feel like a freak among your friends, or living with an unsupported partner? This is a chance to feel supported and understood by someone who knows what you’re going through and can explain why you feel the way you do.
It’s a chance for you to gain clarity about all of the changes going on in your body and what to do about it.
What can I talk about in my session?
Anything! You set the agenda. I’m an active listener who can discuss your symptoms, answer your questions, educate you on the physical changes during perimenopause, and help you feel validated in your experience. My empathetic perimenopause care includes nutritional guidance, hormone education, help to prepare for physician appointments so you don’t leave disappointed, wellness tips, lifestyle modification suggestions, and educational resources to help you navigate this transition confidently.
Consider it a friendly conversation with a knowledgeable friend.
Why is this such a reasonable cost?
I believe in healthcare information access for all. Typically, coaches charge hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for this information, and I could, too; my knowledge is worth that much. However, it’s important to me to keep this information affordable and available.
Perimenopause information isn’t just for the women who can afford “bougie” health retreats, thousand-dollar masterclasses, and expensive coaches; this information is for all individuals who want to understand perimenopause.
This is also why I provide gobs of free information on my website and don’t charge for it like other Substackers do. Knowledge is power for all of us!
Is this coaching?
Sort of. The information provided is the same, however coaching requires long-term contracts and commitments to meeting at set times over the course of weeks and months. You can meet with me once or multiple times; it’s up to you and is pay-as-you-go. No long-term contracts or commitments are required. Whenever you need help, set up an appointment.
I can provide specific perimenopause advice on nutrition and fitness guidelines, stress management, sleep tips, and general wellness advice. For more individualized guidance, such as setting up a fitness routine or a daily nutrition plan, I can refer you to vetted professionals in these fields.
Can you tell me if I’m perimenopausal?
There is no one test to determine if you are perimenopausal. Perimenopause is labeled as such by exclusion. This means that a doctor would first need to confirm that you don’t have something else going on, like a thyroid condition or low iron that can mimic the signs of perimenopause.
Once it’s determined that there are no other issues causing your symptoms and you are over 40, we can map perimenopausal symptoms to what you’re experiencing.
I’m not a clinician, so I don’t diagnose or treat medical conditions. I limit my discussion to perimenopause, which is not a disease. However, perimenopause and menopause can cause the development of some medical conditions like frozen shoulder, and I can explain how they are linked.
Who are you?
What are your qualifications?
I’m a certified menopause/perimenopause educator through a leading menopause care physician and spent over 7 months training to be a health coach.
I bring to our conversation a lifetime of health knowledge from being a multi-decade healthcare business professional. I have undergraduate and graduate degrees in healthcare management and understand the complexities of health and medicine, especially within the U.S. I’ve taken countless university health courses and am a lifelong learner of health and wellness information. Health has been my passion since my teenage years.
I’ve spent the last three years studying perimenopause and menopause, applying everything I have learned about health. Connecting all the dots has been incredibly eye-opening.
I’m well-versed in the latest research and recommendations, and I proudly belong to both The Menopause Society and the International Menopause Society as an educator member. These leading professional associations are heading up perimenopause and menopause research and guidelines.
I’m perimenopausal! 7 years and counting. I came up with the term “elder peri” or my other favorite term, “geri-peri". At 54, I’m well past the average age of menopause in the U.S. of 52.
I write a popular Substack publication about perimenopause, also called The Periprofessional, which is read in 46 countries, and I’m very active on social media to bring perimenopause awareness and education into women’s lives.
You can read more about me on my About page if you’d like. I include all my details, including my story of beginning perimenopause. It’s not pretty.
What experience do you have?
I worked exclusively with Perry, the largest perimenopause support platform, as a Perry Guide offering 1:1 coaching sessions to their 60,000 members. However, they’ve decided to switch gears and offer only group sessions and workshops through their premium subscription product, of which I’m still a part of. This has opened the door for me to offer 1:1 appointments through The Periprofessional.
What is your health philosophy?
I embrace a minimalist philosophy when it comes to health - believing that sometimes, less truly is more. In the past, I adhered to a very structured and rigid regimen, imposing strict rules on my eating and exercise habits. However, it wasn't until I entered perimenopause that I began to recognize how this perfectionist mindset was not just draining but also unsustainable. The pressure to maintain an ideal standard took a toll on my well-being, prompting me to reevaluate my approach.
Now, I consciously choose to distance myself from diet culture and the endless cycle of promoting fad products and menopause supplements. Instead, I focus on balance and simplicity, prioritizing what feels right for my body rather than conforming to societal expectations. It's essential for me to create a space where everyone feels accepted, so I maintain a non-judgmental attitude toward others' choices and behaviors. My journey is about finding what works best for me, and I encourage others to do the same, free from external pressures or criticism.
I also don’t think talking about health has to be heavy or boring. I like to be relatable and engaging. Professionalism is important to me (hey, I’m Periprofessional), and integrity is my top value, but I still like to have enjoyable conversations about perimenopause that will make a difference in your life.
Administrative Details
Do you only work with individuals who identify as a woman?
I’m available to meet with anyone who wants to learn more about perimenopause. Granted, there isn’t a lot of information about gender identity and the menopause transition, but I’m aware of what’s available to share at this time.
Will my information remain private?
Yes, The Periprofessional voluntarily adheres to U.S. HIPAA regulations (even though we are not a required covered entity), ensuring the confidentiality and privacy of your health information and conversations. The platform we use for client management follows the most stringent policy and international standards on privacy and confidentiality of information.
Your privacy is our utmost concern. In addition, The Periprofessional will not share your information or what we talk about during the course of your engagement with us with anyone.
Our email replies are end-to-end encrypted for the safety of our information.
* HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a United States federal law. For more information on your privacy, please read the Consent Form in your welcome package.
What does The Periprofessional brand stand for?
Integrity
Relatable
Knowledgeable
Non-judgemental
Trustworthy
Compassionate
Reliable
Passionate
Comforting
Friendly
Whimsy
Down to Earth
Are there only daytime appointments available?
I offer appointments during the day, some evenings, and some weekends. If you don’t see a specific time available, reach out, and we can coordinate a time together.
Do I need to be on camera?
It’s your choice. You can book a video or audio call. If this option doesn’t meet your needs, I also offer email and text appointments. If you choose to use your video, come as you are - I’m about living authentically. In your bed? Not a problem. Mascara running down your face? I won’t even notice.
What is your appointment policy?
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please do so 24 hours before your appointment start time. Cancellations and rescheduling can be done online. For reschedules, cancel the existing appointment and book a new one, or reach out to me. Cancellations with at least 24 hours notice are issued a refund. If cancellation is within 24 hours, you are given credit for a future appointment. No shows are non-refundable.
Appointments are charged by credit card at the time of booking.
Do you send out appointment reminders?
Yes, I do, but remember to add your appointment to your calendar once you book your appointment. You’ll receive an email reminder 3 days before your appointment and 1 day ahead. These reminders also contain your required client forms that must be completed 24 hours before your appointment and the Zoom link if you’ve booked a video or audio call.
Who do I reach out to if I have more questions?
🖐 Pick me! If you have any further questions, please feel free to DM in Substack, or if you’re a newsletter subscriber, reply to any email.
Disclaimer:
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical conditions, nor should it replace licensed medical expertise or treatment. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical care. Clients are responsible for their own actions, and the information provided is not intended to create a healthcare provider/patient relationship. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency service provider. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or crisis, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) by calling or texting 988 or reaching out to your medical provider.
