Women Carry Invisible Burdens That Others Don't See.

So many women carry invisible burdens that others don’t see. There is pressure to “keep it together” for the sake of the family — even despite challenges like stress, anxiety, and depression.

Even in households that seem balanced, women are more often expected to carry the “mental load” — the invisible, exhausting work of remembering schedules, managing tasks, and emotionally supporting others. This chronic stress can lead to burnout, especially when combined with perfectionism or the pressure to “do it all.”

For women, many seasons of life are marked by significant hormonal changes — menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. During these periods, hormones can fluctuate greatly. This can affect mental health.

Additionally, trauma disproportionately affects women. They are more likely to be the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and emotional abuse. These experiences often stay buried, hidden underneath layers of fear or shame. When this happens, it can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

Therapy provides a safe space to begin processing these issues. With the help of a therapist knowledgeable in women’s issues, women can process difficult past experiences, learn skills to create boundaries, and create a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Why It Can Be Hard To Reach Out

A lot of women think that they should be able to “handle it all.” When you’re busy taking care of people and attempting to meet expectations at work and at home, it’s easy to forget about your own problems. Reaching out for therapy can feel like you’re admitting you’ve failed in some way.

Some women worry about being judged and feel guilty for taking time for themselves. They feel like they’ve never had a space where their needs were prioritized. It’s normal to feel uncertain before starting. In fact, most of our clients have felt the same apprehension and nervousness before reaching out.

A Professional Approach to Women's Therapy

Carly Shannon-Rigby, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

I treat those who have challenges with adjustment and life transitions, relationship issues, mood disorders, trauma, self-esteem issues, recovery needs, and grief resolution. After becoming a mother, I developed a passion for working with women’s issues and parenting. Serving a diverse clientele gives me the opportunity to build a variety of connections, client to client.

My counseling foundation comes from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach. I feel this type of therapy allows for fluidity with other therapeutic modalities….YES, being eclectic! I also like to integrate holistic techniques to help attune the brain and body. When these two are in sync, a lot of growth and change can happen!

I believe everyone brings uniqueness to their sessions and I emphasize this to help my clients become the experts of their unique self. I am very creative in my work, and with creativity comes humor. So come prepared to laugh at times when things are going well…or not so well. I look forward to helping and collaborating towards your therapeutic needs.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy offers a safe space to take an honest look at the emotions, patterns, and stories that could be contributing to anxiety, depression, and other issues. Your therapist can help you make sense of complex layers of stress that often build up over time.

Therapy is a process that allows you to process your emotions and untangle the burdens that you have been carrying. Many women find that simply being able to speak openly to someone who listens nonjudgmentally can make a profound difference.

Besides helping you make sense of your emotions, therapy equips you with practical strategies and tools that you can use to cope with demands more effectively. It can strengthen your resilience, as well. You’ll begin to see strengths that you have overlooked in the past.

Women face many different challenges. Some women may need a safe space where they can process past trauma. Others may need help with emotional regulation. This is why therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Each person’s strengths and challenges are unique. Therapy is too.

Therapeutic Approaches

Our therapists are skilled in various approaches to help meet a wide range of challenges that women face, including:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is one of the most widely used therapies for women (and men!). With this therapy, you learn to identify specific thoughts (such as catastrophic ones) that cause anxiety and other strong emotions. You’ll learn to challenge and reframe these distorted beliefs.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This therapy can help you process trauma in a structured, safe way. It is a powerful tool for women who have experienced domestic abuse or other trauma.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This can strengthen your emotional regulation. It also teaches you mindfulness, which can help you stay present in the moment. DBT is also great for helping women set boundaries and communicate needs more effectively.
Psychodynamic therapy: Depression may cause you to withdraw from life. Behavioral activation helps you gradually re-engage with activities and people that bring meaning or joy to your life.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT): This type of therapy is often used for depression, but it can be helpful for many issues. It is based on the idea that mood symptoms are triggered by interpersonal conflict. It helps you improve communication skills and interpersonal effectiveness.

Why Choose Deep Centered Mental Health

Our therapeutic approach is both practical and compassionate. We work to understand what you’ve been going through within the context of how social, cultural, and biological factors affect your mental health.

Here, the therapeutic approach is tailored to address specific mental health issues that women face, like postpartum depression,  caregiving burnout, body image concerns, and the emotional complexities of life transitions.

Unfortunately, access to mental health care isn’t equal for all women. Women of color, LGBTQ+ women, disabled women, and those living in poverty often face greater obstacles—from lack of culturally competent providers to financial or geographic barriers.

At Deep Centered Mental Health, we are committed to breaking down these barriers and ensuring that exceptional care is accessible to every woman, regardless of her background or circumstances. We have therapists who specialize in LGBTQ+ therapy. We offer convenient virtual therapy for women who live in more rural areas. And, we are dedicated to culturally sensitive practices.

Our therapists meet you without judgment and bring years of experience to this work. Together, we’ll choose the approaches that make the most sense for your situation. Let us help you feel heard and supported as we create a plan together that focuses on you.

We are ready when you are

Convenient locations + telehealth

Journeys to Healing

Real experiences shared by patients who turned therapy into transformation.

My counselor offers me various ways to address my life circumstances and encourages me through each instance. I can’t recommend them enough, they’re a great option for therapy.

I have been referring clients to Deep Centered Mental Health for several years now. They are highly professional skilled clinicians. I always hear positive reviews from the clients I refer.

I have worked with Sam V for over a year and she has been the best therapist I've had so far. Incredibly kind and relatable to me. Company is smaller and easy to schedule and work with. Couldn't recommend more.

Understanding the Process

Learn more about what to expect as you take the next step in your journey.

What are women's issues in therapy?

Women’s issues in therapy encompass a wide range of mental health concerns, including life transitions, body image, trauma, and reproductive health. Our specialized therapists address these unique challenges.

How can therapy help with postpartum depression?

Therapy offers support and coping strategies to navigate the emotional and psychological impact of postpartum depression. Our therapists are trained to guide women through this challenging time.

Can therapy help with menopause-related symptoms?

Yes, therapy can help manage the emotional and psychological effects of menopause, such as mood swings, anxiety, and depression.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy for women?

Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy, providing flexibility and convenience without sacrificing the quality of care.

Can therapy help with body image and self-esteem issues?

Absolutely. Our therapists work with women to develop a healthier relationship with their bodies and improve self-esteem, addressing the root causes of negative self-image.

How does therapy address trauma and abuse experienced by women?

Therapy offers a safe space to process trauma and heal from experiences of abuse. Our therapists use trauma-informed approaches to support recovery and emotional well-being.

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