Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT
presents
The Intersection of Peri/menopause and Mental Health Challenges: A Multidisciplinary Approach
with Dana Ramsey, CNM and Ila Breeann “Bree” Bode, LMFT
Friday, March 21, 2025
9:00am-11:30am
In-Person @ Simpkin's "Community Center" Room B
(979 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062)
2 CE Credits
Description
Perimenopause and menopause bring key hormonal shifts that can deeply impact mental health, contributing to mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and cognitive changes. This presentation highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, exploring how mental health therapy, lifestyle modifications, and medical treatments—including hormone and non-hormone options—can work together to support women in midlife.
Attendees will gain practical tools to identify hormone-related mental health challenges and discuss evidence-based interventions such as therapeutic techniques, stress management, and lifestyle adjustments. This presentation will empower providers to offer holistic, patient-centered care during this transformative life stage.
Learning Objectives
In successfully completing and attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Describe the key hormonal shifts during peri/menopause and explain their impact on mental health, including mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and cognitive changes.
- Apply evidence-based interventions—such as therapeutic techniques, stress management strategies, and lifestyle adjustments—to support women experiencing emotional and cognitive symptoms during peri/menopause.
- Evaluate the combined role of mental health therapy, lifestyle modifications, and medical treatments (hormonal and non-hormonal) in supporting women through midlife.
Presenter(s)
Dana Ramsey is a Certified Nurse Midwife and has spent the past 15 years helping women navigate their gynecology, pregnancy, postpartum and menopausal challenges. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Dana completed her Masters in Nursing degree with a specialty in Women’s Health And Midwifery at Yale University. Dana grew up in Santa Cruz and is thrilled to be providing care to families in the same community that she is raising her own family. Her passion for assisting women in the emotional and physical journey of postpartum and menopause became very clear. Having spent the past decade of her career in corporate medicine, she hungered for something different- something more personal, meaningful and individualized. Currently, Dana is in training with Aviva Romm, MD- prominent Functional Medicine Women’s Health Doctor and she is expanding her practice to include Functional medicine evaluations of all things reproductive health- including fertility, menopause, postpartum and everything in between!
la Breeann “Bree” Bode is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional with nearly 20 years of direct service, supervisory, and managerial experience (working with children, adolescents, families, substance use disorders, Juvenile Justice, and Child Welfare) in community mental health settings. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the University of California Davis, Bree completed her Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary. Bree has been a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2009 (LMFT#47139), and a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional through Postpartum Support International since 2021. She has received specialized training and certification in Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders and recently completed advanced training in EMDR for Perinatal & Infant Mental Health. Bree’s passion for supporting individuals, couples, parents, and families on the journey to parenthood and through the perinatal period grew out of her own experience of becoming a mother. The perinatal period can be both a beautiful and challenging time as the path and transition to parenthood is filled with vulnerability, triumphs, losses, joy, and unknowns. Bree is able to discern the unique needs within the perinatal period from both a personal and professional lens.
Schedule
9:00am: Check-in *
9:30am-11:30am: CE Session
* = non CE portion of day
Advanced registration is required for this event and must be completed at least one day before the event. Each individual seeking CE credits must register separately, attend the event, and submit the post-session evaluation to a receive CE certificate within one week. The evaluation with attached CE certificate will be sent out to confirmed attendees by 48 hours after the event.
Cost
SC-CAMFT Member (Clinical and Affiliate): $20
SC-CAMFT Member (Associate and Student): $10
Non-Member: $40
Non-Member (Associate/Student): $25
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Continuing Education Provider #62284: This training meets the qualifications for 2 hours continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Course completion certificates will be available to attendees after completion of the session evaluation and sent by email no later than three weeks after the session. The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
Cancellation/Refund Policy: Due to this program being managed by volunteers, there are no cancellation refunds for this program.
Special Accommodations: The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT is committed to providing a presentation that is accessible to all who wish to attend. If you have a special need and plan to attend, please notify us at president@santacruztherapist.org. Requests must be made one week in advance.
Grievances/Other Questions: Contact SC-CAMFT at president@santacruztherapist.org.