Mentoring for navigating the menopause
Menopause isn't just a physical transition. It can be an invitation to remember who you are.
For many women, menopause is about far more than hot flushes or hormonal changes. It can bring unexpected questions about identity, purpose and the life you've built so far. It may also amplify things you've quietly lived with for years, from feeling overwhelmed more easily to struggling with concentration, emotional regulation or sensory sensitivity.
Creative mentoring offers a person-centred* space to explore this transition with curiosity rather than judgement. Together, we'll make sense of what you're experiencing, and what matters most to you, discovering approaches that genuinely support this next chapter of your life.
Menopause can be a time of loss, but it can also be a time of clarity. My hope is to help you navigate both with compassion, creativity and a deeper understanding of yourself.
*person centred means working in a way that suits the client, not vice-versa.
Hi I’m Amy (and this is Vinnie), here’s why this matters to me
I'm now 44, and looking back, I think I started experiencing symptoms of perimenopause around four years ago. At the time, I had no idea what was happening. I just knew I felt different. I wasn't sleeping, my body was changing, my emotions felt unfamiliar, and I no longer seemed able to push through life in the way I always had.
When I first went to my GP, I was told I was too young for it to be menopause. It took several appointments before I was finally offered HRT, but like many women, I was hesitant about taking medication. I'd always looked after myself, exercised regularly and rarely experienced health problems, so accepting that my body had changed so dramatically wasn't easy.
What I didn't expect was how much the emotional side of menopause would change me.
At the same time, I was training as a person-centred counsellor and attending my own therapy. As my hormones shifted, I found it increasingly difficult to keep masking, people-pleasing or ignoring my own needs. It was uncomfortable, but it also became an invitation to be more honest about who I really was, and with that, I also realised that my mind had always worked differently.
Rather than seeing menopause as something to simply get through, I've come to see it as a profound life transition. A time to question old expectations, let go of who you thought you had to be, and begin building a life that's more aligned with who you really are.
That's why this work means so much to me. Alongside the challenges, menopause has given me clarity, self-compassion and a much deeper understanding of myself. My hope is to create a space where other women can navigate this transition with curiosity rather than fear, and discover that, while it can be difficult, it can also be one of the most transformative chapters of life.
What is Creative Mentoring for The Menopause?
Creative mentoring combines person-centred principles with creativity as a way of thinking, rather than simply something we do. Menopause often arrives at a time when many women are reassessing their lives, relationships, careers and sense of identity. It can feel unsettling, but it can also create an opportunity to slow down, reflect and reconnect with yourself.
Creative mentoring creates space to explore who you are now, rather than searching for quick fixes or trying to return to the person you were before. Together, we'll use curiosity, reflection and creative thinking to navigate this transition in a way that feels authentic to you. My aim isn't to help you get back to your old self, but to help you embrace this next chapter with greater clarity, self-compassion and confidence.
Some of my specialisms
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Neurodivergent minds
Whether you've recently received a diagnosis, suspect you may be neurodivergent, or are beginning to understand yourself through a new lens, these sessions offer a space to explore how your mind works. Together, we'll focus on acceptance, regulation, and building a life that works with your strengths rather than against them.
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Navigating menopause
Menopause often brings much more than physical symptoms. It can spark questions around identity, confidence, relationships and what’s next. I provide space to make sense of the changes you're experiencing, reconnect with yourself, and navigate this transition with greater clarity, compassion, and self-trust.
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Putting down your phone
Many of us feel trapped between wanting to be present and constantly reaching for our phones. Together, we'll explore your relationship with technology, what might be driving those habits, and how to create more space for rest and connection without feeling like you have to disconnect from modern life completely.
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Creative career slump
Working in creative industries can be inspiring, but it can also leave you feeling depleted, pressured, or disconnected from the reasons you started creating in the first place. Together, we'll explore ways to reduce overwhelm, navigate perfectionism, and reconnect with curiosity, confidence, and a more sustainable creative practice.
Mentoring packages
Not sure which option is right for you? Book a free 20-minute conversation and we can figure it out together. Sessions are available either online, or in person across Manchester, UK.
6 session pack (£60 a session*)
Designed for people navigating a period of change. This might be menopause, a career shift, a relationship ending, a late diagnosis, creative burnout, or simply a feeling that life no longer fits quite right. Together, we'll explore how you feel, and what comes next.
3 month deep dive (£300 a month)
Offers space to slow down and explore what emerges over time. With weekly sessions and optional creative prompts between them, it's designed for those who want to better understand themselves, navigate a significant transition, or make lasting change.
Corporate team 121s (4 people or more)
A confidential space for employees to better understand how they work, navigate pressure, and think more clearly. Particularly valuable during periods of change, stress, burnout, neurodivergence, leadership development, or creative challenge.
Creative mentoring is a new idea, so if you’re still not sure if it’s for you, these FAQs might help! Or book a call here
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Yes. Many women begin experiencing symptoms of perimenopause in their as early as their 30s, and some even earlier. Changes can happen gradually and may not always be recognised straight away, making the experience feel confusing or isolating.
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Yes. Many neurodivergent women report that traits they've managed for years become more noticeable during perimenopause and menopause. Changes in hormones can make masking more difficult, increase sensory sensitivities, affect emotional regulation, concentration and energy levels, and leave everyday life feeling much more overwhelming. For some women, this is also the time they first begin exploring whether they may be neurodivergent.
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I'm currently completing my Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and am a Student Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). My work is guided by the BACP Ethical Framework, and I receive regular clinical supervision as part of my training.
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Creative Mentoring sits somewhere between coaching, counselling, and creative exploration. It's a space to slow down, better understand yourself, and explore challenges from a different perspective. The focus isn't on giving advice or telling you what to do, but helping you uncover what feels right for you.
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Not at all. In fact, many people who work with me don't consider themselves creative. When I talk about creativity, I'm referring to a way of thinking: curiosity, flexibility, openness, and the ability to explore new possibilities.
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No. While my approach is influenced by my training in Person-Centred Counselling, Creative Mentoring is not a substitute for therapy. It is a reflective, supportive space that combines conversation with creative thinking to help you better understand yourself and navigate change.
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Every session is different because every person is different. Some sessions are entirely conversational, while others may include simple creative or reflective exercises. We begin with whatever feels most important to you and work from there.
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People often come to me when they're experiencing a transition or feeling stuck. This might include menopause, neurodivergence, burnout, creative block, career changes, relationship changes, settling after a nomadic lifestyle, technology overwhelm, or simply a feeling that life no longer feels quite right.
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I offer creative mentoring in Manchester, as well as online sessions for clients across the UK and internationally.
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Traditional coaching is often focused on goals, performance, and action plans. Creative Mentoring is more exploratory. Rather than trying to fix a problem quickly, we take time to understand what's really going on and what you need moving forward.
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There is no right answer. Some people find a short series of sessions gives them the clarity they need, while others benefit from longer-term support.
For first timers, you would have to book 6 sessions minimum, because meaningful change and insight usually take time. The sessions build on one another and create space to explore things more deeply than is often possible in a single conversation.
If you're unsure, we can discuss what feels most appropriate during an introductory call. -
At the moment I work in packages because meaningful change and insight usually take time. The sessions build on one another and create space to explore things more deeply than is often possible in a single conversation.
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If you're looking for a space to think more clearly, better understand yourself, and explore what's next without judgement or pressure, there's a good chance it could be a good fit. The best way to find out is to book a free 20-minute exploratory call and we can talk through what you're looking for. Book here
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Many women find themselves weighing up different options, from HRT and other medications to lifestyle changes and alternative approaches. These sessions provide a space to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences around those decisions without judgement.
While I can support you emotionally as you navigate those choices, I am not a medical professional and won't advise on medication or treatment. If you're experiencing menopause symptoms, I always recommend seeking advice from your GP or a qualified menopause specialist alongside our work together. Creative mentoring is designed to complement, not replace, appropriate medical care where needed.
I think this strikes the right balance: it reassures people that medication isn't an off-limits topic, while making it very clear where your role begins and ends. It's also very consistent with your person-centred approach—you support the person making the decision, rather than telling them what decision to make.
Join The Creative Retreat
Creativity is not just drawing, painting, writing… it doesn’t have to be an activity at all. Creativity could just be a state of mind that feels MORE FREE. That’s why our creative retreats + events are not just for creatives, they are for anyone that needs to rediscover more joy and ease in their lives.
Do you feel the need to disconnect from external expectations, and connect to something that feels more natural - more like you?
“It feels like a permission slip to explore freely.”
Haley Withers • Mentoring Client
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