Mason Integrative Psychiatry, PLLC

08/29/2026

08/29/2026

She asked for hormones. She left with Prozac and Wellbutrin.

A 50-year-old woman walks into her primary care appointment because she doesn’t feel like herself anymore.

She has:

• Brain fog
• Irritability and mood swings
• Anxiety
• Poor sleep
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Low energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in libido
• A growing feeling that something is just…off

She wonders if she could be entering perimenopause.

She asks about hormones.

Instead, she leaves with prescriptions for an antidepressant and an antidepressant/other psychotropic combination.

And here’s the problem:

I’m not saying those medications are never appropriate.

They absolutely can be.

But before we assume that a 50-year-old woman’s new-onset mood and cognitive symptoms are primarily a psychiatric disorder, we should ask:

What’s happening hormonally?

Perimenopause is a period of significant hormonal fluctuation. For some women, those changes can affect mood, anxiety, sleep, cognition, temperature regulation, sexual function, and overall quality of life.

And yet women are still frequently told:

“It’s anxiety.”
“It’s depression.”
“You’re just stressed.”
“That’s part of getting older.”

Maybe.

But maybe it’s perimenopause.

The answer isn’t necessarily hormones.
The answer isn’t necessarily an antidepressant.

The answer is an informed evaluation and an individualized treatment plan.

Women deserve to understand what may be contributing to how they feel—and to have a real discussion about their options.

🌿 At Mason Integrative Psychiatry, we take a whole-person approach to mental health and menopause.

Because when a woman says, “I don’t feel like myself,” we should be curious about why before simply handing her another prescription.

07/05/2026

BALANCE is officially out today!!!

After years of listening, filming, and holding space for stories that were never meant to stay silent — this series is finally yours.

Perimenopause is real. The confusion is real. And the conversations start now.

Watch BALANCE: A Perimenopause Journey today on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video with international options at WatchBalance.com.

If you’ve ever thought “Is it just me?” Or “Why don’t I feel like myself?” — this is for you.

If this resonates, share it. Talk about it. Let’s change the story together.

04/15/2026

⭐️Strength Training in Menopause: A Missing Piece in Mental Health Care

As a psychiatric prescriber, I often see women in midlife who feel like their bodies and minds have suddenly shifted. Sleep becomes disrupted, anxiety increases, mood feels less stable, and energy declines. While medication—including hormone therapy—can be an important part of treatment, it’s not the whole picture.

One of the most underutilized, evidence-based tools we can incorporate into care during menopause is strength training.

Why It Matters for Mental Health

The hormonal changes of menopause—particularly declining estrogen—impact neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. This can contribute to symptoms of depression, anxiety, irritability, and cognitive fog. At the same time, the body loses muscle mass, bone density, and metabolic efficiency.

Strength training directly supports both brain and body:

⭐️Improves mood and reduces anxiety - through neurochemical and stress-regulation effects
⭐️Enhances sleep quality - a common challenge in menopause
⭐️Supports cognitive function - including focus and memory
⭐️Builds physical resilience - which often translates into emotional resilience

Integrating Strength Training Into Treatment

When I prescribe for menopausal symptoms—whether antidepressants, sleep aids, or hormone therapy—I also discuss lifestyle interventions as part of a comprehensive plan. Strength training is a cornerstone of that conversation.

This doesn’t require an intense or intimidating routine. Even 2–3 sessions per week using bodyweight or light resistance can lead to meaningful improvements in both physical and mental health.

Framing strength training as a mental health intervention - not just fitness, often helps patients engage more consistently.

A More Complete Approach to Care

Medication can stabilize symptoms, but sustainable well-being often requires a broader strategy. Strength training addresses both the neurobiological and physical changes of menopause—making it a powerful adjunct to psychiatric care.

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If you’re navigating menopause or looking for a more integrative approach to treatment, I offer care that combines thoughtful prescribing with practical, evidence-based lifestyle support.

03/31/2026

Not all hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the same—and timing matters.

Current evidence shows that for most healthy women, starting HRT before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset is considered safe and effective. This “timing window” is associated with the most benefit and lowest risk profile.

Risks and benefits also vary based on the type, dose, and route. For example, transdermal estrogen (patches, gels) may carry lower clot risk than oral forms, and micronized progesterone appears to have a more favorable safety profile than some synthetic progestins.

HRT is not one-size-fits-all. The goal is the lowest effective dose, individualized to your symptoms, health history, and preferences—with regular reassessment.

Beyond improving hot flashes, sleep, and mood, HRT may also support long-term health—helping preserve bone density, reduce fracture risk, and potentially offer cardiovascular and cognitive benefits when started in the appropriate window.

Menopause is a significant neuroendocrine transition, not just something to “push through.” Thoughtful, evidence-based care can improve both quality of life and future health.