Hot Flashes? Irregular Cycles? Sleep Issues? Welcome to Cougar Puberty.

Women’s HealthPerimenopause & MenopauseSleep & StressMental Health & TherapyMidlife WellnessHormones & MoodLifestyle & Self-Care
Written By Cardelia Dishert LMHC, Senior Therapist & Wellness Consultant (IV)
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“Cougar Puberty”: a confident, modern approach to perimenopause and menopause, reclaim sleep, ease hot flashes, and stabilize mood with compassionate support.

Our grandmothers endured it, our mothers went through it… but women of today are redefining it. What is it? Menopause and perimenopause. Both of these phrases mean different things to different people, but essentially, it is the journey a woman takes that concludes with the permanent end to her menstrual cycle. 

During this time, women experience a number of frustrating and confusing symptoms, including sleep disturbances, hot flashes, urinary urgency, unusual hair growth, heart palpitations, and emotional changes (depression, anxiety, mood swings, etc). Menopause and perimenopause as social constructs focus on the aging woman, thus adding an additional emotional/mental layer to this challenging time. 

Women of today are rejecting these social constructs that women in this part of their journey are past our primes and should wallow during this time. And thus the birth of Cougar Puberty. Cougar puberty embraces the change in a woman’s life (similar to adolescent puberty) and addresses the change without the negative social constructs. Instead of crying in frustration, we are laughing, sharing our experiences, and supporting each other through this interesting phase of our lives.

Like any life adjustment, some may need additional support during cougar puberty. Seeking therapy during this time can help in a number of ways, including developing a sleep routine to address fatigue and/or insomnia.

Book a consultation with Cardelia Dischert, LMHC, today to get the support you need during this journey.

Book with Cardelia
Cardelia Dishert LMHC, Senior Therapist & Wellness Consultant (IV)

Cardelia Dischert is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with nearly two decades of experience supporting individuals and couples through some of life’s most difficult transitions. Whether navigating trauma, grief, identity shifts, or relationship struggles, Cardelia brings a deeply grounding and compassionate presence to her work.

Her integrative approach blends evidence-based practices like CBT, DBT, and trauma-focused therapy with a strong commitment to culturally responsive and affirming care. Cardelia specializes in working with clients managing complex trauma, intimate partner violence, chronic stress, and postpartum challenges, as well as those navigating identity, sexuality, and relational dynamics in non-traditional or marginalized contexts.

With extensive background supporting first responders, veterans, and military families, Cardelia also brings a justice- and systems-informed lens to her work. She has completed her Firefighter Behavioral Health certification and is currently pursuing a PhD in Somatic Sex Therapy, deepening her work at the intersection of sexuality, trauma, and healing.

Cardelia sees therapy as a collaborative process and strives to meet each client exactly where they are, offering care that is practical, affirming, and attuned to your unique story.

She offers virtual therapy across Florida and welcomes adults of all backgrounds, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, BIPOC clients, caregivers, and couples in diverse relational structures.

https://dreavita.com/cardelia-dischert-lmhc
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