LISTENING TO OURSELVES
- a group for women in midlife -
with Dr Liza Messing
Consultant Clinical Psychologist

This group offers women a gentle, structured space to both speak and listen to others who are in the mid-life transition period. A way of connecting with ourselves and others wherever we are in this time. A way to believe ourselves and ground ourselves. No problem solving, no advice, just sharing what you want to be heard in that moment.

Mid-life for women is a time of real and profound disorientation and change. We are newly uncomfortable in our bodies, and both new and old desires and emotional pains can feel like they are stirring. We struggle to orient in this unfamiliar landscape and find ourselves questioning the very fabric of our lives, wondering if we can carry on living as we have been.

Even when what we have built has been hard won and deeply loved.

We find ourselves wondering what does it all mean? Do things need to change? Do we just ride out the storm, get the best medical care we can and power on through, or are we being called to find new ways to inhabit this period of our lives?

My experience of this time, drawn from my own process and from my work supporting, guiding and being alongside clients, colleagues and dear friends is that there is only one thing sturdy enough to rely on and lean into:

learning to deeply listen to ourselves.

Make the space for it. Honour our need for it.

During this period of our lives, as we move beyond our early adult years, we have the opportunity to shed the constraints of performing the roles we feel we should, in the ways we have been taught, to finding out what deeply and truly works for us now. If we have worked hard to create professional stability for ourselves, we now have the chance to learn to be our own North Stars. To let that be the light that guides us into a deeper and wider sense of ourselves.

It is however almost impossible to do this alone. Most of us have powerful internal voices that try to sabotage any anticipated change, anxiously working to pull us back to the known safety we have established for ourselves. I have learnt that to create safety and permission to move beyond this, during this time like no other, we need connection to other women in community who are also allowing themselves to look beyond what has been. To look into the space beyond the worlds we have inhabited in order to start to listen to the undercurrents within that have been quietened by busyness, responsibilities and the comfort of status and structure.

We need community at this unique time because it is extremely hard to notice this pull back for ourselves and much much easier to see it in others. Being with other women as they voice what is present for them, creates spaces and mirrors for us to notice unseen parts of ourselves. And we slowly learn not to dim the light on ourselves as we take joy from watching the light emerge in others.

***As this is our founding group, we are currently offering

a limited discounted rate to founding group members***

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Following an award winning career of over 25 years working in the British National Health Service, leading, developing and managing therapeutic services for Adults, Dr Liza Messing founded The Women’s Therapy Practice in 2022 to support women to live flourishing lives. The practice is one of a just handful that specialise in working with women and is the only practice in the UK with a focus on supporting professional women’s lives. Enabling women to live full lives is now her driving passion.

Dr Liza spent many years within the NHS developing and delivering group programmes and is now using this expertise in service of women’s flourishing. She has found that group spaces are the optimal environments for women to learn to lean in to finding healthier and more fulfilling relationships with themselves and others.

Of herself she says “I bring my lived experience to my work. I am a mother of two teenaged children and have negotiated my way through finding my creativity and power whilst being available to play the roles I have chosen of partner and mother. This has been a huge source of challenge, learning and growth. I have learnt for the first time in mid-life how to listen to my own internal voice and am deeply grateful for the energy and possibility that has unfolded for me as a consequence. I am hugely indebted to the company of other women who have joined and supported me on this journey and am excited and humbled at the chance to share this with other women.”

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About Dr Liza Messing

Name: The Women's Therapy Practice
Address: 124 City Road, London

B.A, DipPsych, DClinPsych

HCPC Registered

ACAT Registered Therapist,

Supervisor and Trainer.

Questions you may have...

What ages are included in the mid-life transition period?

This is different for all of us. Generally, mid-life issues impact us between mid 40s – mid 60s but if you are close to those ages and feel like this applies to you, you are very welcome to join us. If you feel like you are in it, you are in it!

What happens in the group?

Each group member will be invited to share in turn using a set of prompts. Shares are short and you may pass if you do not wish to share on that occasion. Dr Liza will set confidentiality boundaries for the group to ensure safety and respect which everyone will be expected to adhere to.

Is this group therapy?

This is a space specifically to learn the skill of listening to what is going on for you in the moment. This is a deeply therapeutic skill to learn and will support you to lean into new directions and opportunities in your life that are right for you. It will not support you with ongoing mental health difficulties which require separate support and attention.

I am struggling with my mental health – is this the best place for me ?

This group is not able to support women experiencing general mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety to the extent that it is impacting on your ability to function. If you are struggling in this way, we do offer individual therapy and can advise on whether we would be the best place to meet your needs. Please see HERE for more details about the therapeutic support we offer and details of how to get in touch. If you are already working with one of our therapists and have been advised that this group will be of use, please do jump on in!

When is the group?

There are two potential time slots for the group: Thursdays at 7pm and Saturdays at 10.00am. You can select your preference when you sign up for the group waitlist. The group will last between 1hr and 1 hr 10 minutes depending on the number of people in it.

How many people will there be in the group?

There will be a maximum of 10 people in the group and a minimum of 6.

How long does it run for?

The founding group will run for 6 weeks with the same membership. There will then be a short break after which you will be able to continue in the group if you wish to. At this point there are likely to be changes to the group membership. The group will then continue to run in this rhythm of set blocks with short breaks in between.

How much does it cost?

The full cost of the group is £50.00 per session.

What is the Founding Members Discount?

Anyone choosing to attend the founding group will pay a reduced price of £40.00 for each session. Founding Members will continue to pay this reduced fee for as long as they choose to attend the group.

How do I pay for the group?

Payment for the group is either upfront or in two monthly instalments. The first monthly instalment is required to secure your place in the group.

When does it start?

Exact dates TBC - Likely July – August 2025

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Testimonials for
The Women's Therapy Practice

& Dr Liza Messing

"I'm so very honoured to have been working closely with Liza during the last year. She is a master of holding space, deeply listening and insightfully pointing out places where I have been blocked, leading to much greater growth than I could have expected in such a period. Liza is a powerhouse of transformation. Anyone working with her is lucky to receive the gift of her incredible expertise, wisdom and compassion."

Nayomi Munaweera, Author.

"I’ve worked with a few therapists before but always felt like something was missing until I started working with Liza and the Women’s Therapy Practice. Our work together has been positively life changing for me. I loved Liza’s approach - she made room for all of my feelings which gave me permission to feel and acknowledge them—many for the first time in a long time. She held and created a safe space for me that allowed me to unfurl and explore all the different parts of myself I’d tucked away. My experience with Liza was healing and transformative. I’m so very grateful for our time together. This work is an investment your future self will thank you for."

Ms C, NYT Bestselling Author

"I have really valued Liza's authenticity, humour and kindness, and have felt supported to learn I can hold boundaries, take agency and be courageous in my practice. Thank you Liza."

Dr B, Clinical Director

"My experience with Liza has been nothing short of transformational. With Liza's input I have made exciting, positive changes for my career whilst also getting closer to the elusive work-life balance."

Dr S, Consultant Clinical Psychologist

“Working with Liza has been a life altering journey.”

Ms AS – Late Autism Spectrum Diagnosis

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