Women’s Issues Therapy

What Are Women’s Issues?

In 2022, about 1 in 4 women in the United States (26.4%) lived with a mental illness (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2024c). Women’s issues represent a broad scope of mental health concerns and conditions that women may face at some point in their lives. Some are specific to reproductive health or to experiences common among women while others can affect all genders. Therapy for women’s issues is open to all women, including transgender women, and an LGBTQ-affirming therapist can help with concerns tied to gender identity. Regardless, women may experience these concerns differently.

Some of the most common concerns women bring to therapy include:

Depression – More than just feeling sad, depression is a serious mood disorder that can affect a woman for a particular period or can be ongoing for her entire life. Depression is about 1.5 times more common among women than among men (World Health Organization [WHO], 2026b). Depression has many emotional and physical symptoms, and in severe cases, women may experience suicidal thoughts. Women can also experience depression linked to reproductive life stages, such as perinatal depression and perimenopausal depression (NIMH, 2024b).

Anxiety – An anxiety disorder can make even simple daily tasks feel overwhelming. Anxiety disorders are more common in women and girls than in men and boys (WHO, 2026a).

Eating Disorders – Eating disorders are serious illnesses, not choices, and they involve much more than food. Eating disorders can affect people of all ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, body weights and genders, and are diagnosed more often in women (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2022).

Bipolar Disorder – Formerly known as manic-depression, bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes clear shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and concentration (NIMH, 2024a). Pregnancy and the postpartum period are a high-risk time: about 37% of women with bipolar disorder have a relapse after giving birth, and the risk is far lower for those who stay on preventive medication (Wesseloo et al., 2016).

Borderline Personality Disorder – Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that affects how a person feels about themselves and others, with intense emotions that are hard to regulate (NIMH, 2025). Women who have borderline personality disorder may experience intense fear of abandonment, stress-related paranoia, reckless behavior, irritability, depression, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, and intense anger that is hard to control (APA, 2022; NIMH, 2025).

Domestic Violence – Domestic violence can be emotional, physical, sexual, financial, verbal or psychological, and some women first experience it in childhood homes. In the United States, about 1 in 3 women (34%) has experienced sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner (Zhang Kudon et al., 2026). Women who are in violent or abusive relationships often come to believe that they deserve to be abused or that it’s their fault. Abuse is never the survivor’s fault.

Sexual Abuse – Although a person of any gender can experience sexual abuse, women are affected far more often: about 45% of women and 17% of men in the United States have experienced contact sexual violence (Leemis et al., 2025). Women who have experienced sexual abuse often blame themselves, rationalizing the abuse as their fault for dressing a certain way, behaving a certain way, drinking too much, etc. Sexual abuse is never the survivor’s fault. While the sexual abuse itself is hugely traumatic, women who have been sexually abused also often experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), struggle to form relationships, feel unsafe in future sexual situations, and for some, they may even experience suicidal thoughts.

Discrimination – Women still struggle with equal treatment and pay in the workplace, sexual harassment, derogatory comments from men, feeling unsafe in certain situations, and general feelings of oppression. In 2024, women in the United States earned about 85 cents for every dollar men earned (Fry & Aragão, 2025). When a woman is discriminated against or treated unfairly, it can take its toll, mentally, over time. Women may come to believe that they deserve this type of treatment and may have feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and depression after experiencing persistent gender discrimination.

Infertility – Infertility can be a devastating experience for women who are trying to get pregnant. Infertility affects about 1 in 6 people worldwide at some point in their lives (WHO, 2023). It’s common for women who are struggling with infertility to experience depression, emotional trauma, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and jealousy or resentment.

Low Self-Esteem/Self-Worth – Many women experience low self-esteem at some point in their lives, but for others, this is a more serious concern. Self-esteem issues often have deep roots that may be traced back to childhood, an abusive relationship, or bullying. Low self-esteem can add to an ongoing cycle of shame and self-loathing that is difficult to break without seeking help. Messages about appearance, gender roles and what women ‘should’ be often shape how women see themselves.

Life Stages and Reproductive Health

The most significant hormonal changes that many women experience are puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and the postpartum period, and perimenopause and menopause. The emotional challenges that occur with hormonal changes leave many women susceptible to anxiety and depression.

Menstrual Cycle and PMDD

Many women notice mood changes in the days before their period. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is more severe: symptoms such as marked irritability, depressed mood, anxiety or mood swings start in the final week before a period, ease within a few days after it begins, and get in the way of work, school or relationships (APA, 2022). PMDD affects an estimated 1.8% to 5.8% of women who menstruate in a given year (APA, 2022).

Pregnancy and Postpartum

Pregnancy and the year after birth bring physical, emotional and relationship changes, and perinatal depression can start during pregnancy, not only after the baby arrives (NIMH, 2023). About 1 in 8 women with a recent live birth report symptoms of postpartum depression (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024). Postpartum depression is different from the “baby blues,” brief mood changes in the first two weeks after birth, and from postpartum psychosis, a rare psychiatric emergency that needs immediate care (NIMH, 2023). Women who take medication for a mental health condition can plan ahead with their care team, since stopping it only because of pregnancy can raise the risk of relapse (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], 2023). For free, confidential support 24 hours a day in English or Spanish, call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262 (1-833-TLC-MAMA) (Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA], n.d.).

Pregnancy Loss

Miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and stillbirth can bring deep grief that is often not talked about. In a study of women after early pregnancy loss, 29% met criteria for posttraumatic stress one month later and 18% still did at nine months, and about 1 in 4 had moderate to severe anxiety one month after the loss (Farren et al., 2020). Grief counseling can help women and their partners work through the loss.

Perimenopause and Menopause

Perimenopause, the years of hormonal change before periods stop, is a time of higher risk for depression. A 2024 meta-analysis found that perimenopausal women had about a 40% higher risk of depressive symptoms and depression than premenopausal women, while postmenopausal women did not show the same increase (Badawy et al., 2024). Hot flashes, poor sleep and midlife changes at home or work can add to the strain, so it can help to involve both a therapist and a medical provider.

Treatment Options for Women’s Issues

Many of these concerns are hard to manage alone. Therapy gives women a place to understand what they are facing and learn ways to cope. Depending on the presenting issue and the individual circumstances, there are various treatments and types of therapy available to address women’s issues. A treatment plan usually includes talk therapy (psychotherapy), medication, or both, and approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you notice and change unhelpful thought patterns.

Feminist and Trauma-Informed Therapy – Feminist therapy and other gender-responsive approaches look at how gender roles, power and social pressures shape a woman’s distress, and treat the client as an equal partner in setting goals (Brown, 2018). Trauma-informed care, which many therapists who focus on women’s issues use, puts safety, trust, choice and collaboration at the center so that therapy does not repeat the harm of past trauma (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2023).

Medication – Depending on the particular issue and the circumstances unique to the woman, some issues might be treated with psychiatric medications. Of course, it is vital to work with a doctor or psychiatrist to find the medication (and dosage) that is the best fit. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, talk with your prescriber before starting, changing or stopping a medication, since the risks of untreated illness need to be weighed alongside the risks of medication (ACOG, 2023).

Alternative Therapies – Other approaches that can complement therapy include mindfulness and meditation, diet and exercise, creative/art therapy, biofeedback, hypnosis, and social support groups. If diet or exercise starts to feel driven or out of control, our guide to eating disorder treatment can help you sort out next steps.

Crisis and Support Lines

If you’re in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 (US and Canada), or see our crisis helplines for other countries.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. If you have experienced sexual assault, call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673.

What to Look for in a Therapist

The most important thing for women to remember when seeking help for any mental, physical, or emotional issue is that they are not alone. There are counselors in any city across the country, as well as medical doctors and online therapists who can assist a woman in coping with or overcoming an issue that she struggles with.

When looking for a therapist, it’s important to choose an individual whom you feel comfortable to share and build a trusting relationship with. While some women prefer a female therapist, that is not to say only female therapists are capable of dealing with women’s issues. It is encouraged to make an initial appointment with a couple of therapists, as finding a good “fit” may not happen with the first therapist you identify. Other things to consider when looking for a therapist are the finances and/or insurance policies accepted, the location, and the therapist’s area of focus.

It is important for women to look for practitioners who have an area of focus related to their specific issue(s). Most therapists will specialize in one or more areas, so you can seek out help from someone trained in eating disorders, sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, etc. Finding a therapist whose professional focus aligns with your specific issues improves the chances of effective therapy. When you are ready, you can search TherapyTribe for a therapist who specializes in women’s issues.

Further Resources for Women

• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: call or text 1-833-852-6262 (1-833-TLC-MAMA), free and confidential, 24/7 in English and Spanish
• Postpartum Support International HelpLine: call 1-800-944-4773, or text 800-944-4773 (English) or 971-203-7773 (Spanish)
• U.S. Office on Women’s Health: health information for every stage of a woman’s life at womenshealth.gov

References

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023). Treatment and management of mental health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum (ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 5). Obstetrics & Gynecology, 141(6), 1262–1288. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000005202

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787

Badawy, Y., Spector, A., Li, Z., & Desai, R. (2024). The risk of depression in the menopausal stages: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 357, 126–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.041

Brown, L. S. (2018). Feminist therapy (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). Symptoms of depression among women. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductive-health/depression/index.html

Farren, J., Jalmbrant, M., Falconieri, N., Mitchell-Jones, N., Bobdiwala, S., Al-Memar, M., Tapp, S., Van Calster, B., Wynants, L., Timmerman, D., & Bourne, T. (2020). Posttraumatic stress, anxiety and depression following miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy: A multicenter, prospective, cohort study. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 222(4), 367.e1–367.e22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2019.10.102

Fry, R., & Aragão, C. (2025, March 4). Gender pay gap in U.S. has narrowed slightly over 2 decades. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/04/gender-pay-gap-in-us-has-narrowed-slightly-over-2-decades/

Health Resources and Services Administration. (n.d.). National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

Leemis, R. W., Zhang Kudon, H., Zhu, S., Smith, S. G., Chen, J., Friar, N. W., & Basile, K. C. (2025). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2023/2024 sexual violence data brief. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/media/pdfs/sexualviolence-brief.pdf

National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Perinatal depression (NIH Publication No. 23-MH-8116). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression

National Institute of Mental Health. (2024a). Bipolar disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder

National Institute of Mental Health. (2024b). Depression (NIH Publication No. 24-MH-8079). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression

National Institute of Mental Health. (2024c). Mental illness. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

National Institute of Mental Health. (2025). Borderline personality disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Practical guide for implementing a trauma-informed approach (SAMHSA Publication No. PEP23-06-05-005). https://web.archive.org/web/20250110042733/https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep23-06-05-005.pdf

Wesseloo, R., Kamperman, A. M., Munk-Olsen, T., Pop, V. J., Kushner, S. A., & Bergink, V. (2016). Risk of postpartum relapse in bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(2), 117–127. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15010124

World Health Organization. (2023, April 4). 1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility: WHO [News release]. https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility

World Health Organization. (2026a, September 15). Anxiety disorders [Fact sheet]. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders

World Health Organization. (2026b, September 11). Depressive disorder (depression) [Fact sheet]. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression

Zhang Kudon, H., Zhu, S., Chen, B., Breiding, M. J., Leemis, R. W., Zhang, X., Schwank, A., & Basile, K. C. (2026). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2023/2024 intimate partner violence data brief. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/media/pdfs/intimatepartnerviolence-brief.pdf