Louise Griffiths Coaching
Menopause Workplace Coaching
Take back control of your menopause journey… rediscover your energy and motivation at work.
My overall aim is to support women to find their own solutions in order to remain in the workplace, working in partnership with individuals and organisations by offering a tailored approach to coaching and menopause education within organisations.
About Me
My name is Louise Griffiths and I have over 25 years’ experience in supporting, listening and empowering individuals to succeed in their personal life and workplace.
I have a background in human resources with extensive experience in senior HR management roles in various industries including financial services, telecommunications, healthcare and research.
My menopause journey
My menopause journey started in late 2019 when I started experiencing debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. I initially didn’t associate these symptoms with the perimenopause, in fact my knowledge of the menopause was extremely limited and thought it was all about hot flushes… I wasn’t experiencing hot flushes and to this day I’ve never had one. I didn’t realise then that every woman’s menopause is totally different and thought I couldn’t be menopausal as I’ve never had a hot flush. It had a huge effect on my at work and felt:
- I had to be seen like I was in control… I wasn’t.
- I always had to be seen as smiling and confident… I wasn’t.
- I wasn’t ok and hoped it would pass… it didn’t.
I went to see my GP with my symptoms who asked how old I was (I was 45) and was told I was ‘a bit young to be perimenopausal’. I was prescribed antidepressants… I never took them. Everywhere I looked for help, I hit a brick wall and didn’t know how to move forwards. I felt bewildered, alone, lost, a huge loss of personal identity and didn’t know where or who to go for support.
Of course, it doesn’t only affect the workplace and my world became very small where I was fearful of everything, which got to the point where I didn’t feel safe being on my own at home due to the panic attacks. I went back to the doctor in early 2022 (in hindsight I wish I had gone sooner) and thankfully the same doctor who had 18 months told me I was ‘a bit young’ this time listened and prescribed me with HRT, which has thankfully given me back my independence.
I retrained as a coach last year and attained a Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Coaching.
Outside of my coaching work, I love spending time with my young family alongside long country walks with our puppy in the Cotswold hills and catching up with family and friends.
What's included in the programme and how is it structured?
What’s included in the menopause coaching programme?
My 1-1 menopause coaching programme will help you to see a way forwards to enable you to:
- feel focused and proud of yourself for taking back control
- feel educated and knowledgeable in order to get support from your workplace and your GP
- explore what existing workplace menopause support is available to you so you can feel confident asking for help
- understand where the gaps are in your lack of identity and how you can rediscover yourself
- identify who is in your overall support network, what you need from them and how to approach them
- manage your time outside of work to ensure you have sufficient ‘me time’ to reduce your overwhelm
- regain your confidence at work and rediscover the passion for your career
How is it structured?
My programme is structured into 4 key areas:
Session 1 – Foundation
- Overview of what the menopause and how hormones affect us
- Explore and understand that every woman’s menopause journey is different
- Gain clarity on your symptoms, how they are affecting you and how to track your symptoms
Session 2 – Fact Finding
- Understand how your menopause journey is affecting you at work
- Review what reasonable adjustments you need to make your working life easier
Session 3 – Take back control
- Develop an action plan and toolkit based on getting the support you need from your workplace, GP and family/friends.
Session 4 – Moving forwards
- Review action plan; what changes you have noticed and what further support you may need.
Qualifications
I have a Certificate in Coaching, awarded by the Centre for Coaching which is part of the International Academy for Professional Development and is a course approved by the British Psychological Society for the purposes of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and recognised by the International Society for Coaching Psychology.
I also have a Masters Degree in Personnel and Development from the University of Westminster (which incorporated the CIPD qualification) and a Degree in Business Administration from the University of Huddersfield.
As well as holding Chartered Fellow Membership with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), I also hold memberships with the Association for Coaching, International Society for Coaching Psychology and The Institute of Leadership and Management.
About the menopause programme
What this programme will do
This programme is for you if you’re feeling:
- frightened and worried you might have to leave your job due to your symptoms
- you’re starting to doubt your ability to do your job effectively
- overwhelming feeling of not being in control
- isolated at work and only just holding it together
- disconnected with your career, even though you have previously loved it… and been successful at it
- not able to attend work events due to your overwhelm, where previously you would have not thought twice about it
- worried your colleagues will think that you aren’t coping or doing your job properly
- you’ve lost your ‘lust for life’ and don’t have any enthusiasm for day to day working life
- overwhelmed by juggling a busy lifestyle with older parents and children and have no time for yourself, particularly around your menopause symptoms
- dismissed by your GP and feeling lost on how you move forwards getting their support
- you have no headspace to try to remember to keep a record of your symptoms and how they are affecting you at work
- you’ve lost your independence and see it as a sign of weakness to rely on others
What this programme won’t do
It is important to state that I am not medically trained. This programme is therefore not for you if you are looking for:
- clinical advice around your symptoms or medical background
- specific advice around which HRT or alternative treatments are best for you
- diet or fitness advice around your menopause symptoms
- holistic or counselling services
Testimonials
Menopause Coaching
How do I find out more?
Book a free 20 minute discovery call with me to discuss how I can help you to take back control of your menopause journey.
FAQ
How do I sign up?
We will have an initial free 20 minute discovery call to discuss your menopause journey and where you feel you need support at work. Following that and if you decide you would like to work with me, we will agree a time for our first meeting.
What if I decide it isn’t for me?
If you decide after our discovery call that this isn’t for you, that is absolutely fine. If you agree to go ahead, you will be asked to pay the overall programme upfront. If you wish to cancel, then you will be reimbursed for the outstanding balance of sessions you have not taken.
Are the sessions online or face to face?
I work on an online basis using Zoom.
What should I prepared for in advance of our sessions?
At the end of each session, we will agree next steps with set ‘homework’ before our next meeting.
How do I pay?
I will invoice you for the overall block of 4 sessions in advance of the programme starting.
What timeframes should I be working to?
Typically, each session will be 2-3 weeks apart. As I work on an individual basis, these can be flexible depending on your requirements. For example, sessions 1 and 2 may be 1-2 weeks apart to start with, then sessions 3 and 4 may be 4 weeks apart, depending on what has been agreed in your action plan.
Are our calls recorded?
They can be recorded at your request.
Testimonials
"Louise was introduced to us as an expert in supporting businesses on menopause awareness and training. She delivered an informative and valuable webinar on menopause knowledge and understanding in the workplace to over 100 of our colleagues at IAG GBS and IAG Tech. She was warm, personable, and empathetic, and her presentation prompted some great questions and discussion around how we can best support people going through menopause and keep pace with the latest legislation. We received very positive feedback from the attendees, which included a good mix of men and women from a wide range of ages and cultural backgrounds. We would be very happy to invite Louise back for a further session to help more people understand menopause and its challenges in the workplace.
Nikky Challoner, Head of Communications, IAG GBS and IAG Tech
"I would highly recommend Louise and her menopause programme. I was struggling with lots of different symptoms that I didn't even realise were connected to the dreaded M! After just my first session with Louise, I felt so much better and felt so reassured that I wasn't going mad... Huge relief! Louise was so patient and calming and was so knowledgeable on all things Menopause. She helped me join the dots to figure out the best route for me to take and despite me not going on any HRT at this stage, I am so much more aware of my symptoms and I know I can use the tracking app she recommended to help gauge things when needed. Most importantly though, I have Louise to guide me through these transitions... so grateful for her continual coaching and passion".
Menopause Coaching Programme Client, 2023
"Over the last few years I have been suffering with symptoms which I now understand were due to perimenopause and then the full menopause.
Louise helped me understand my own symptoms, how they make me feel and identifying what support I needed from my employer. She gave me the confidence to approach my manager to discuss the effects the menopause was having on my life and to explain what I needed to be able to function through the worst of the symptoms.
For me, those symptoms are brain fog, memory loss, fatigue, sleeplessness and anxiety/loss of confidence. I followed Louise’s advice I now work flexible hours, being able to start later if required, especially after a poor night’s sleep.
With Louise’s support I can honestly say that I’m finally finding my joy again. She makes me look at and think about things in a different way by giving me “homework” to do before our next session and her kindness and humanity make each session a safe place to be".
Menopause Coaching Programme Client, 2023
"Louise helped with guidance and support during a period of change when I was looking into a new career field. Louise provided the support needed and helped build my confidence in making those steps into a new career field from the initial conversation through to the acceptance of the job".
Career transition client, January 2023
"Thanks for today, it was great talking this through and I feel lighter and more positive already - a great start to my maternity leave. You've got a lovely way about you, picking up on things I hadn't considered and asking thoughtful questions! Its a great job you're doing and so many women will benefit from this!".
Working parent, 2022.
"Louise has an open approachable coaching style, which helped me to make decisions about my future career. I received clear and reasonable advice and found myself very comfortable talking about myself. Louise carefully listened, analysed and advised me how to achieve what I'm looking for in my career. The whole coaching experience has built my confidence, giving me the strength to make informed decisions. Next week I am starting college and looking to see lots of changes and opportunities ahead of me. Thank you very much for inspiring and fantastic coaching".
Mid career change parent, September 2022.
"Louise is a very knowledgeable and trusted coach, who has helped me to reflect and reset my career goals. During our coaching sessions, Louise has helped me to focus upon identifying key areas of experience and knowledge that I have gained within HR, and how they contribute towards supporting my career transition. Louise’s coaching has also helped me to pinpoint other areas of development that could support my career and have therefore prioritised these through engagement with further learning opportunities. I feel that this approach has helped me to gain greater clarity of my career goals, build confidence in my existing experience, provided me with encouragement to engage with other learning and networking opportunities, which has contributed towards strengthening my professional profile and placed me in a much stronger position to enable me to achieve my career transition goals".
Career development HR professional, 2022.
CPD, Memberships and Associations
