Friday, 26th April 2024












Friday, 26th April 2024
We welcome you to the first Trauma & Menopause Conference hosted by Onlinevents with Aneesh de Vos & Helen Douglas whose training and research explores The Collision of Trauma and Menopause.
The day’s conference aims to bring together a community of likeminded people who can both share and explore the far-reaching effects of the intersection of trauma and menopause.
Two panel discussions will take place during the day along with interactive workshops. Presenters are from a diverse backdrop reflecting the individual understanding of specific communities. They will lead you through their particular workshops reflecting individual, yet relatable lived experiences. Whilst academic and theoretical insights will be part of the day the focus of lived experience will offer meaning and understanding to the intersection of trauma and menopause.
We believe that through community the panel discussions and workshops will begin to create a supportive network helping to highlight this lesser explored avenue of the collision of trauma and menopause. The welcome is wide for those who are ready to explore and consider this subject and its impact on both individuals, family and the community.
Aneesh is an experienced therapist, trainer & supervisor. All Aneesh’s work is underpinned with both compassion and somatic-based practices which she sees as an integral part of a holistic understanding of ourselves.
As an autoethnogapher, Aneesh believes that our connection with the lived experience in relation to culture is to be found in the therapeutic space. Working with that paradigm, there we can find the sense making of our reactions to events that can cause us distress.
Aneesh is currently studying for her doctorate in Psychological Trauma and she holds an MA in Trauma Informed Practice and a PGC in Coaching.
As an independent researcher into the intersection of trauma and menopause, Aneesh has become more passionate about her belief that there is a definite place for therapeutic practices to offer support for women and people to explore how the experience can impact their lives. Aneesh also co-produces the ‘Community Connections’ podcast, which introduces trauma and its many guises, without the fancy jargon. Guests are invited to share their lived experience and knowledge to create meaningful conversations that reach out to the viewers.
When she is not sat at her computer, she is invariably to be found wandering somewhere in nature with Morris the Dog - sending the odd text to her daughter that she is indeed alive but a tad distracted with doing nothing!
Helen researches the intersection of menopause, trauma, and neurodiversity. A challenging surgical menopause interrupted Helen’s career at the age of 41, and she now advocates for a womb-to-tomb holistic approach to hormonal healthcare to ensure the landscape changes for future generations. Helen is co-founder of the Global Menopause Inclusive Collective, and she writes extensively on menopause and childhood sexual abuse.
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME Exploring&RaisingYourAwareness oftheEffectsofLivedExperienceof Trauma&Menopause
Friday,26thApril2024
Friday,26thApril2024
09:30 - 10:00
Exploring&RaisingYourAwareness oftheEffectsofLivedExperienceof Trauma&Menopause
Introductions Welcome & Housekeeping
10:00 - 11:00
Panel Discussion Interactive discussion with workshop presenters
11:00 - 11:30 Break
Concurrent Workshop Session 1
11:30 - 13:00
13:00 - 14:00
14:00 - 15:30
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Meal Break
Concurrent Workshop Session 2
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15:30 - 16:00 Break
16:00 - 17:30
17:30 - 18:30
Concurrent Workshop Session 3
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Concluding Discussions Recap and key takeaways from the conferen
Remarks
TheIntersectionof Trauma&Menopause
Exploring&RaisingYourAwareness oftheEffectsofLivedExperienceof Trauma&Menopause
11:30-13:00
11:30-13:00
ROOM 1
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Helen Williams - (Im)Perfect Bodies at Work: Diverse identities and menopausal experiences
ROOM 2
ROOM 3
Emily Haslam-Jones - Finding ways to restore emotional balance through Trauma and the Menopause using breath and movement
ROOM 4
Zoe Ewart - Understanding Alcohol Addiction, Menopause, and Trauma (60 Mins)
Anita Powell - Menopause Through Working Class Eyes (30 Mins)
Shaneen Joubert - Childless menopause: Getting out from under the weight of the terminology
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Exploring&RaisingYourAwareness oftheEffectsofLivedExperienceof Trauma&Menopause
14:00-15:30
14:00-15:30
ROOM 1
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Gayathri Delanerolle - Menopause and Trauma: Are we doing justice to Women’s Health? (Not recorded)
ROOM 2
Roxanne Kerr - The Atholl Approach - at the foothills of menopause awareness
ROOM 3
David Buckler MA., BA. - A Male Experience
ROOM 4
Emmy Manson - Coast Salish woman sharing of change of life and leaning into menopause is it really a pause?
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SESSION 3 SESSION 3
TheIntersectionof Trauma&Menopause
Exploring&RaisingYourAwareness oftheEffectsofLivedExperienceof Trauma&Menopause
16:00-17:30
16:00-17:30
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ROOM 1 Aneesh de Vos - Poverty & Menopause
ROOM 2
ROOM 3
Lynda Wisdo - Menopausal Psychosis and Spiritual Emergency: Healing the Effects of Trauma Through the Challenges of Perimenopause
ROOM 4
Siobhan Argyle - Turning the Tide: Navigating the turbulent waters of Type 1 Diabetes and Menopause
Chris Sheridan - The Menopause - Clinical Considerations for Working with Trans and Gender Diverse Clients
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Exploring&RaisingYourAwareness oftheEffectsofLivedExperienceof Trauma&Menopause
SESSION 1 SESSION 1
11:30-13:00-Room1
11:30-13:00-Room1 WORKSHOPSESSION1
Workshop Description: Join us for a critical discussion on bodies at work. We will explore how disembodied narratives of organisations position the body - in its many forms - as problematic and therefore, invisible. Often, when bodies are discussed in relation to work, they are often youthful, gendered, and idealised. As a result, much of our understandings of contemporary workplaces are formed around a particular type of body that is deemed to be unproblematic (i.e., white, masculinised, neat, youthful, fit). Those whose bodies do not fit this norm, are more often than not, othered and/or subjected to various degrees of stigma.
To unpack this further, and in light of the recent focus on menopausal experiences, we tackle the topic of ‘managing’ the menopause at work. In particular, we will focus on current discourses and their impact on diverse identities and bodies.
Dr Helen Williams is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Management, Swansea University. Helen’s research takes a critical perspective and seeks to understand how common assumptions shape contemporary understandings of work and workers. As a co-founder of Breaking Binaries Research, Helen is particularly interested in exploring diverse identities and bodies and the impact contemporary forms of work has on these Her other interests include the use and development of qualitative methods, with a particular focus on multi-modal approaches.
11:30-13:00-Room2
11:30-13:00-Room2
Finding ways to restore emotional balance through Trauma and the Menopause using breath and movement
Menopause is a challenging time for many of us in that the changes in hormones bring with them emotional regulation challenges in many forms. It can be tiredness, anger, anxiety, panic, low mood. Add a trauma history into the mix and it can increase the challenges or dormant patterns can rise to the surface. This is a time in life we need to find tools for self-care and self-acceptance more than ever, and to find our way in building a more positive and accepting relationship to our body.
In this workshop we will: discuss lived experience of how trauma and menopause can interact learn 2 simple tools for working with challenges look at the barriers we have when considering the self-care we need have an experiential session of yoga to experience coming into balance, noexperience necessary
learn the basics of why yoga can help with these challenges
learn about how to select a class and teacher that works for you
Don't worry if you don't have a yoga mat, you simply a non-slip floor space you can move in as big as your body lying down, where you feel safe and undisturbed. You may want a blanket or a cushion or two. If you have any health concerns, injuries or illnesses or pregnancy do consult your GP.
Emily Haslam-Jones is an expert in the field of embodied trauma processing, creating safety and emotional self-regulation through yoga, breath and movement An internationally trained yoga teacher since 2007 and establishing Yoganova, Emily has worked with diverse populations, within, schools, charities the public sector and private practice. She later widened her experience becoming parent, children & young peoples' therapist, CAMHS Specialist, self-regulation therapist, trainer and professional speaker, founding the companyFreedom In Me.
She honed her knowledge of harnessing blended polyvagal states through lived experience, practicing yoga during her years working in a war zone as a humanitarian worker for the International Red Cross and UN. She draws from a wide range of practices from yin & restorative to high energy kundalini inspired movement, presented in simple and accessible ways, whilst working to increase the evidence-base and profile of yoga as a tool for trauma through publishing research, working with parents, children and teachers on co-regulation and connection to create Trauma Informed Schools She advocates practice that releases the practitioner from attempting to hold still, which has great application for ADHD, trauma, emotional dis-regulation and wherever these overlap.
She works with both adults and children, has delivered training to teachers, yogis, public sector workers and therapists, debunking the mystification of yoga practice and promoting simple fun tools that simply help people feel better. Whilst theoretically grounded in polyvagal principles, her work is essentially experiential - so come along and join the fun way to access the power and the freedom inside everyone of us.
11:30-12:30-Room3
11:30-12:30-Room3
Are you curious about the impacts of alcohol on menopause? If your answer is 'Yes,' then let's delve into this engaging workshop that uncovers the intricate relationship between trauma, menopause, and alcohol addiction. In this enlightening session, I will address your questions and confront the unvarnished truths about this issue.
We will investigate the prevalence and impact of alcohol addiction among women, with a special emphasis on those navigating the menopausal journey. So, expect to be surprised by what you discover and be prepared to see alcohol from a completely new perspective!
Join me for a pivotal conversation that has the potential to forever change your understanding of menopause and alcohol addiction. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and engage in this essential dialogue.
Zoë lives between Hampshire, UK and Ibiza, Spain. She has four adult children who have all fledged, more animals than the Ark ever had, instructed Pilates for 15 years, speaks fluent French, good Spanish and has been living her alcohol-free life since March 2019. She is a Senior Coach in behaviour change, working for Annie Grace ‘This Naked Mind’, in helping people make alcohol small and irrelevant in their lives Zoë also runs her own private coaching business, is currently a student of Gabor Mate and is working towards her counselling certification.
12:30-13:00-Room3
12:30-13:00-Room3
When public and private medical support are limited by funding, working-class women face challenges during menopause. Additionally, these women face barriers that limit their access to quality healthcare.
Anita Powell is an experienced community engagement advocate, speaker, podcaster and activist. She has worked, volunteered and advocated for social issues like social inequality, heritage, menopause, and other injustices. She has worked with women, men, and young people on issues related to mental health, ex-offenders, unemployment, and refugees. She grew up in Bedford with her Afro-Caribbean family, which has inspired her to work towards a better community
Anita hosts the podcast "Black Menopause and Beyond," where she covers the topic of menopause through interviews and reflections. Her reflections are a combination of her personal experience, the experiences of her peers, and her professional experience working in the community sector. In 2019, she founded Menopause Alliance to support people going through menopause The organization holds face-to-face peer support groups in her hometown In 2020, she co-founded Black Women in Menopause with Nina Kuyper, offering face-to-face online meetings via Zoom every two months.
Anita is also a speaker on menopause, community, ethnic minorities, and women's issues. She has appeared on several media outlets, including BBC Breakfast, ITVX, ITN, The Guardian, Magic FM radio, Marie Claire Magazine, and Stylist.
11:30-13:00-Room4
11:30-13:00-Room4
My unexpected menopause, without having had children, showed me that false positivity wasn’t going to cut it. Things didn’t feel like they were going to be okay. It wasn’t reassuring that every women who survives long enough will experience menopause, and that children don’t have to be biological to be loved. It was a traumatic time, and I honoured that experience by allowing it in all of its darkness and mess.
However, when I consider some of the terminology describing my experience, it sends me running to find something positive to grasp. ‘Childless woman’ and ‘postmenopausal woman’, with all of the stereotypes and connotations, are heavy enough; let alone the infinitely heavier descriptor: ‘childless menopausal woman’. These descriptors feel like lumps of concrete secured to my body and I am about to fall into the lake. There has to be something between a false positivity feels invalidating, and being described by terms that leave me breathless and without hope. I yearn for my story of being a post-menopausal woman who has no biological children to be an empowered and dignified story.
Please join me for an interactive conversation about the experience of being a menopausal woman who does not have biological children. Let’s gather, share and learn. Let’s honour and validate the difficult parts, whilst seeking and sharing what is empowering, dignifying, realistic and hopeful. Undoubtedly, those coming after us will be grateful too.
I yearn for truth, and a way to be in the world that makes sense while honouring myself and all of creation. This has led me to a vocation whereby I support people on their journeys of change I am a trauma-informed occupational therapist specialising in neurological rehabilitation.
As a neuro-occupational therapist, I guide people to make sense of the changes to their lives as a result of a neurological event that has caused a change to how one is in the world. I have found this approach immensely helpful when I consider the changes to my life as a result of an early menopause without having had children: There is a loss of a role and identity that I hadn’t yet had and a change to how I am in the world. This is a change that requires support and loving compassion.
I have completed the year-long course in compassionate inquiry which is an approach developed by Dr Gabor Mate for working with trauma. I am now a trauma-informed neuro-occupational therapist. Deeply embedded in this approach is the belief that there is intelligence and dignity in all of our experiences, including challenging and difficult experiences, and a way back to wholeness and sense. This has inspired me to search for the intelligence, dignity and wholeness in my experience of being a postmenopausal woman with no biological children.
I look forward to learning and sharing with you all.
Exploring&RaisingYourAwareness oftheEffectsofLivedExperienceof Trauma&Menopause
14:00-15:30-Room1
14:00-15:30-Room1
Gayathri Delanerolle is a Senior Researcher in Women's Health. She developed a dedicated Women's Health program called ELEMI which takes a life-course approach exploring a variety of key conditions using 6 projects, including that of menopause. She is passionate about Women's Health.
Gayathri promotes health equalities with a special focus on using innovative approaches including but not limited to developing new research methods to deliver comprehensive research that is representative of all ethnicities and race.”
14:00-15:30-Room2
14:00-15:30-Room2
There is a huge crossover in the presentation of menopause and trauma which can make it difficult to distinguish between the two and can often leave people feeling helpless with no-where to turn for support due to lack of understanding.
CEO and founder of Trauma Healing Together has recently developed a new service delivery design framework called the Atholl Approach which, whilst developed specifically for trauma survivors, due to the similarities in symptom presentation, has shown clear benefits for supporting both service-users and staff who may be peri/menopausal. In this presentation, we will give you an overview of this framework and an insight into its application.
Roxanne Kerr is the founder and CEO of Trauma Healing Together, a charity based in Scotland offering counselling to survivors of psychological trauma.Roxanne is an experienced and qualified clinical certified trauma specialist with a master’s in counselling from Abertay University and a certificate in complex trauma and dissociation from the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. Roxanne has extensive experience in working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse and individuals with mental health conditions such as bipolar and schizophrenia.
Roxanne founded Trauma Healing Together in 2020 as she felt there was more that could be done to support those struggling with their mental health as a result of trauma, and wanted to make a sustainable change. She is trained in Crisis Management and is member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapy ty of key conditions using 6 projects, including that of menopause
14:00-15:30-Room3
14:00-15:30-Room3
Overheard only in whispers, as a child through to early adulthood, “the change” or, seldom heard reference to “menopause”, resided in the realms of mystery to the male child. Promoting an uncomfortable pause in family discourse, intrigue developed through speculation into a misguided sense of concern for the afflicted, and the threat of being in their presence. Thus, in ignorance, the child and teenage version of this supposed metamorphosis inferred an element of uncertainty. “Is this going to happen to my mother, as it has apparently damaged my grandmother, and what do they turn into, are they going to be dangerous?”. My grandmother continued outwardly unchanged until her passing - it’s obviously such an insidious malady that we will not be unaware of its presence until it’s too late, and therefore unable to protect ourselves and those we care for. The men ignored it, being women’s stuff, it was best left to them. Again, speculation is based upon overheard pained complaints of grumpiness, aggression, unreasonableness, coldness, emotional, crazy even. And much worse – “they weren’t getting any”, poor fellows. All of this being beyond their understanding and control.
The child’s beliefs are retained within the man, unless otherwise enlightened, the fears, insecurities, and despair remain. Although, knowing that the change is not metamorphic in a corporeal sense, the psychological affect promotes the same apprehensive misgivings. In the extreme, relationships suffer, sadness becomes anger, misunderstanding – resentment. The man continues as perhaps his father
did, and his fathers, father, the cycle shows no real sign of being broken. Ironically, the cycle of life for women, ultimately the most natural of human physiology continues to be a mystery for the man.
David’s conventional training, MA* Trauma Informed Practice; BA* Humanistic Counselling Practice - has been fundamental to his practice as a therapist. “I believe that the basic tenets of Rogerian person-centred practices, and that the therapeutic relationship are essential. However, my own life experience has been equally as informative”.
14:00-15:30-Room4
14:00-15:30-Room4
This workshop will share my lived experience of preparing for change of life and those of my ancestors and how we embrace the change and use culture and the land to support our spirit as we grow into pre elders.
Emmy Manson is a proud Snuneymuxw member dedicated to developing strong leadership and opportunities to live their best life. As an elected Council woman for her Nation Emmy has been a champion of addressing trauma and finding pathways to bring love and joy to her community. Emmy brings a wealth of experience in serving the needs of families and developing open and a bridge to building relationships for the betterment of the world. Emmy’s career has been lifetime of service in the Mental Health and Wellness field provide and has Board experience with VIU and with the Homelessness work in the city of Nanaimo.
As a woman who is now a grandmother sees her work as doing her own healing work to not pass on her pain and trauma to her children She strives daily to make our ancestors proud of all the work they did before us to ensure she got to be alive and that we are still thriving today. Emmy became connected to Roots to Thrive as a participant and was able to experience first-hand the healing that is possible within community.
Emmy is now a strong advocate of how Indigenous people can benefit from healing their trauma by utilizing different modalities such as psychedelic assisted therapy within a community of practice setting
Emmy is grateful to have the opportunity to share her knowledge and lived experience.
Exploring&RaisingYourAwareness oftheEffectsofLivedExperienceof Trauma&Menopause
SESSION 3 SESSION 3
16:00-17:30-Room1
16:00-17:30-Room1
In this workshop I will share with you my own early years lived experience of being brought up in poverty and the impact that that can have on thinking patterns in later years. Often those patterns can be tinged with not doing things well enough or not being good enough and our self-worth can be affected. The impact of such thinking can be affected within the current marketing of the branded ‘McMenopause Must Haves’ without us realising. This in turn can leave women feeling that they are lacking in the skills to come through this profound life change.
The capitalist propaganda in the form of marketing can feel overwhelming to some as they traverse this new and at times confusing landscape of self. By learning to navigate through a supportive framework that relies on both an interdependence of community and a deeper understanding of our own triggers I hope that you will be able to turn to a less frantic sales driven pace to a more self-lead menopause pathway.
Aneesh is an experienced trainer, therapist & supervisor All Aneesh’s work is underpinned with both compassion and somatic-based practices which she sees as an integral part of a holistic understanding of ourselves. As an autoethnogapher, Aneesh believes that our connection with the lived experience in relation to culture is to be found in the therapeutic space. Working with that paradigm, there we can find the sense making of our reactions to events that can cause us distress.
neesh is currently studying for her doctorate in Psychological Trauma and she holds a Masters in Trauma Informed Practice, and a PGC in Coaching. As an independent
researcher into the intersection of trauma and menopause, Aneesh has become more passionate about her belief that there is a definite place for therapeutic practices to offer support for women and people to explore how the experience can impact their lives Aneesh also co-produces the ‘Community Connections’ podcast, which introduces trauma and its many guises, without the fancy jargon.
Guests are invited to share their lived experience and knowledge to create meaningful conversations that reach out to the viewers.
When she is not sat at her computer, she is invariably to be found wandering somewhere in nature with Morris the Dog - sending the odd text to her daughter that she is indeed alive but a tad distracted with doing nothing!
16:00-17:30-Room2
16:00-17:30-Room2
In this workshop, Lynda will discuss her experience with a menopausal “psychosis”—a life changing event that she later learned was actually a Spiritual Emergency/Kundalini Crisis brought on by her history of childhood trauma and the hormonal changes of menopause. Lynda will then present the mind/body practices that helped her to transform her crisis into a time of profound healing, growth, and empowerment. Some of the practices that will be discussed include journal writing, dream exploration, Trauma-Informed Yoga, Continuum Movement, Qigong, Chakra study, Tarot, and concepts related to feminine spirituality. If time allows, the workshop will conclude with a Wise Woman Guided Meditation.
Lynda holds an MA degree in Transpersonal Studies with a focus on Spiritual Mentoring and Feminine Spirituality as well as a Diploma in Tarot for Women. She is also a Certified Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor, Spiritual Guidance Mentor, Level II Reiki Practitioner, Transpersonal Hypnosis Guide, and author of a memoir/research project about her Spiritual Emergency titled, Menopause in Crisis~ When Spiritual Emergency Meets the Feminine Midlife Passage The focus of her writing and healing practice is to offer insights and support to women who are dealing with the challenges of perimenopause and the years beyond.
She can be reached through her websites at: https://lyndawisdo.weebly.com https://menopauseincrisis.weebly.com or by email at lyndawisdo@gmail.com
16:00-17:30-Room3
16:00-17:30-Room3
This workshop looks at the unseen impact of managing Type 1 Diabetes and Menopause. It is the telling of a real-life story that mirrors the trauma infused story of many women affected.
It is the story of hope & of changing the narrative. It is the story of collective strength through adversity. And there may well be some musical accompaniment.
16:00-17:30-Room4
16:00-17:30-Room4
This presentation explores the unique clinical considerations and challenges healthcare providers face when working with trans and gender diverse individuals experiencing menopause. Exploring the nuances of gender identity and its intersection with menopausal experiences, the talk provides insights into understanding menopausal experiences beyond traditional binary frameworks.
From hormone therapy management to addressing mental health challenges, this presentation equips healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to support trans and gender diverse clients through the menopausal transition with empathy and understanding.
Chris (they/them) is a Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Sexologist and DEI Consultant.They are the Founder and Managing Director of The Queer Therapist, a UK based therapy service providing GSRD (gender, sexuality, relationship diversity) therapy and neurodivergent affirming therapy. They are also the Lead Psychotherapist at Voda.co, the LGBTQIA mental health app.
Chris is Accredited Member with the BACP, an Accredited Professional Member with NCPS, an Advanced Accredited GSRD Therapist with Pink Therapy, a member of WPATH, EPATH, TPATH and a Student Member of COSRT.
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