About Me
Hi, I’m Denise — a menopause doula, former nonprofit executive, and woman who knows firsthand what it feels like to hit midlife and think, “WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?!”
For years, I thrived on big goals and long to-do lists. I led organizations, built programs, and was as busy in my personal life as I was at work. I was known among colleagues and friends alike as “the most productive person I know”…until I wasn’t. Like so many women, I found myself exhausted, foggy, achy, annoyed, anxious, and wondering what happened to the energetic version of me who was .so capable and alive. The transition from perimenopause to menopause was the wake-up call I didn’t see coming - and the invitation I didn’t know I needed to refocus my life.
As a menopause doula, I help women navigate perimenopause and menopause with clarity, self-compassion, and a sense of agency. My approach blends evidence-based information with the nurturing presence of ritual and reflection - a healthy respect for both science and soul. Through one-on-one sessions, support circles, workshops, and ritual retreats, I help women understand their changing bodies, make informed choices about symptom relief, and connect with who they are and who they are becoming.
While I’m glad that society has finally begun to talk about perimenopause and menopause, it’s almost always as an ending, a loss, or using negative terms. Menopause is an ending in some ways, but it is also an opportunity and a sacred rite of passage - one that calls us to shed old expectations and reclaim our power in new ways. This is YOUR journey to become who you want to be for the next phase of your life. My role is to walk beside you during that journey - to be your compassionate guide through (peri)menopause and beyond, helping you find not just your balance, but your magic.
Sometime in your 40s, or even late 30s, you might notice changes.
Your body stops acting the way you’re used to. You may find yourself trying to push through fatigue to meet the demands of your busy life - like you’ve always done - only to realize it’s not working anymore. You might feel like you’re failing or going crazy. You might catch yourself thinking, What is happening to me?
During the menopause transition, the old rules don’t apply. You may find you can’t push through the way you once did. You can’t ignore what your body is asking for. The usual ways of coping, pushing, or overriding start to fall apart.
It can feel disorienting. Frustrating. Like you’re being asked to navigate a dark forest without a map. The familiar path fades behind you and you find yourself in the unknown. A place that can feel uncomfortable, unpredictable, even scary at times…
And also a place where of possibility. A place where the air is thick with mystery, power, and potential.
This transition is more than a medical event. It’s a sacred passage. A heroine’s journey. One that asks you to release old patterns, meet your body with curiosity, and discover what power and wisdom live on the other side of the deep, dark woods.
Along the way you develop deeper self-trust, stronger boundaries, and a more honest relationship with your body and needs.
This isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about becoming more fully yourself.
Finding Your Way
Values and Philosophy of Care
Your mileage may vary.
Everyone’s menopause journey is different. What works for you may not work for someone else. I do not use cookie cutter approaches or care plans. This is YOUR journey. My work with you will be unique to you.
You are the main character.
Your needs and experience are my priority. That said, we live our lives in context and I’m happy to help educate your circle so they can become part of your support system during this major life change.
You deserve support.
Everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or size, deserves support for hormone-related symptoms, including trans women, trans men, and anyone with medically or surgically induced menopause.
You are more than your symptoms.
While menopause can bring physically disruptive symptoms, you are not defined by them. Together, we’ll address both the physical and emotional realities — so you can feel grounded, informed, and supported.
I am not a doctor.
I do not give medical advice, but I can help you determine what questions or conversations to bring to your doctor, find a doctor that is well-versed in menopause care, and support you as you process the changes you are experiencing.
I support radical self-love.
Patriarchy undervalues women’s contributions, value to society, and needs. It is a radical act of self-love to show up for yourself despite society telling you to grin and bear it. With support, you can learn to thrive and reinvent yourself in beautiful ways!
Menopause is a sacred threshold.
Menopause is not just a medical event; it’s a profound rite of passage — a portal to a new stage of life. It invites you to shed what no longer fits and reclaim your power and wisdom. It’s my honor to guide you through that transformation.
Credentials
At Seattle Menopause Doula, I blend science-backed education with compassionate, client-centered support, drawing from both modern science and ancestral wisdom to honor the transformative power of menopause. Here’s a bit about my background and experience.
Certified Menopause Doula Specialist Training Program - International Doula Life Movement
Seven years as a Health Care Assistant, Counselor, and Women’s Health Advocate in pro-choice women’s clinics
Bachelor of Science in Psychology - University of Florida
Master of Public Administration & Master of International Studies - University of Washington
Member - The Menopause Society
NOTE: In the United States, there aren’t any national or state requirements to become a menopause doula and doulas aren’t licensed medical providers. It’s a self-regulated field, which makes it even more important to choose someone you trust.
Contact Me
Interested in working together? Book Now or fill out this form and I will be in touch shortly. I can’t wait to hear from you!