Endometriosis & Mental Health: Counselling, Somatic Psychotherapy & Trauma-Focused ACT for Women and Gender-Diverse Individuals
- Nina Isabella
- Oct 27
- 4 min read
Living with endometriosis can feel overwhelming.
As someone who works closely with women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing pelvic pain, I’ve seen firsthand how this chronic condition affects not only the body but also mental and emotional well-being. Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women globally, and it also impacts transgender, non-binary, and other gender-diverse individuals assigned female at birth (AIHW, 2023).
Living with endometriosis affects more than just the pelvic region. Most people are aware of the chronic pain, heavy periods, and fatigue that come with the condition, but there are many lesser-known impacts as well. Many of my clients experience digestive issues, bladder discomfort, and hormonal fluctuations that can feel unpredictable and exhausting. Beyond the physical symptoms, endometriosis often affects relationships, work life, and self-esteem. It can lead to social isolation, difficulty planning daily activities, and a sense of frustration or grief over the limitations it imposes. Recognising these broader impacts is important because healing isn’t just about managing pain—it’s about supporting your emotional, relational, and overall quality of life.
Lived Experience and Professional Specialisation
I speak not only from professional experience but also from my own journey with endometriosis. Living with this condition has given me a profound understanding of the physical and emotional challenges it brings. I’ve experienced the chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, and unpredictability that so many of my clients face, as well as the frustration of navigating healthcare and finding treatments that truly help. This personal perspective shapes how I work with each person who comes to me - I know how isolating and overwhelming it can feel, and I bring empathy, insight, and practical strategies to support both body and mind.
Understanding the Mental Health Impact of Endometriosis
Research is confirming what so many of us have been experiencing—endometriosis can take a significant toll on mental health. People with endometriosis have a higher risk of depression and anxiety (Brooks et al., 2021). The chronic nature of pelvic pain, delays in diagnosis, and challenges navigating treatment can leave many feeling isolated or frustrated. For gender-diverse individuals, these experiences are often compounded by additional barriers in healthcare (ScienceDirect, 2023).
Beyond the emotional strain, endometriosis also affects immune and cognitive function, which can further impact mental well-being. The condition triggers systemic inflammation that alters immune function and affects the central nervous system (CNS). Many individuals experience “brain fog,” memory difficulties, and challenges with focus and attention, alongside chronic pain, anxiety, and low mood. Immune cell imbalances and elevated inflammatory markers, such as IL-8 and TNF-α, contribute to central sensitization - a heightened nervous system sensitivity that amplifies pain and stress responses. This immune-brain connection creates a feedback loop: ongoing inflammation influences brain function, while the stress of living with chronic pain further fuels inflammation. Recognising these interactions underscores why supporting emotional and cognitive health is just as important as managing physical symptoms.
How My Therapeutic Approach Helps
Through my work, I’ve seen how mental health challenges often accompany chronic pelvic pain. Many of my clients report anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness related to their condition (Brooks et al., 2021). My goal is to create a safe space where these experiences are validated, and together, we can develop strategies to improve emotional resilience.
I use a compassionate, holistic approach that combines person-centred counselling, somatic psychotherapy, and trauma-focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (TF-ACT) to help you navigate both the emotional and physical aspects of endometriosis.
Counselling: A Safe Space for You
I provide a supportive space where you can express your feelings, explore your experiences, and build coping skills. Counselling allows us to focus on understanding the emotional impact of endometriosis and developing resilience in the face of chronic pain.
Somatic Psychotherapy: Reconnecting With Your Body
Somatic psychotherapy helps you reconnect with your body, releasing tension and stored trauma. For those with chronic pelvic pain, this approach can be transformative, helping you feel more grounded and present in your own body.
Trauma-Focused ACT: Acceptance, Values, and Change
Using TF-ACT, I guide clients to accept their experiences, clarify their values, and take committed action toward a meaningful life. For people with endometriosis, this approach helps manage pain and emotional distress while fostering psychological flexibility and empowerment (Harris, 2021).
Empowering You on Your Healing Journey
When you work with me, my focus is on supporting you in every aspect of your well-being. Together, we will:
Validate your experience – I acknowledge the unique challenges you face.
Enhance coping skills – I help you develop strategies to manage pain and emotional distress.
Foster empowerment – I guide you to advocate for yourself and make informed decisions about your health.
Promote holistic healing – I integrate mind-body approaches that support your overall well-being.
Take the First Step
If you’re living with endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Through counselling, somatic psychotherapy, and trauma-focused ACT, I can help you reclaim your health and emotional well-being. Reach out today, and let’s take the first step toward holistic healing together.
About Nina Isabella - Womanly Counsellor
I have a Master of Counselling; Advance Diploma of Therapeutic Yoga; I am a somatic movement practitioner; Trauma-Focussed Acceptance and Commitment Therapist. My practice is holistic, with over twenty years of experience in empowering women during their significant life transitions.
My compassionate practice is affirming and inclusive, centring the voice of women and gender-diverse individuals. I combine person-centred counselling with somatic psychotherapies including mindfulness, breathwork, and therapeutic yoga, creating a unique and relational approach to support women and gender-diverse individuals in their journey towards wellness.
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Endometriosis in Australia 2023. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-disease/endometriosis-in-australia-2023/contents/summary
Brooks, P., McKinnon, A., & McDonald, S. (2021). Psychological interventions for women with persistent pelvic pain: A systematic review. Journal of Women's Health, 30(5), 725–740. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2020.8673
Harris, R. (2021). Trauma-Focused ACT: A practitioner's guide to working with mind, body, and emotion using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New Harbinger Publications.
Pelvic Pain Foundation. (2023). Psychological interventions for women with persistent pelvic pain. https://www.pelvicpain.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Brooks-et-al.-2021-Psychological-Interventions-for-Women-with-Persist.pdf
ScienceDirect. (2023). Stigma and mental health in endometriosis. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 44(3), 172–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.02.004
