Dr. Cate Howell is a GP, therapist, researcher, educator and author. She has over 40 years of training and experience in the health sphere, and is passionate about the areas of mental health, wellbeing and counseling. Currently Cate is mostly involved in education and writing related to these areas.  In the year 2000, a Churchill Fellowship allowed her to travel to the UK and Europe studying the primary care management of anxiety and depression.

Over the years, Cate developed a strong interest in women’s health, including mental health and wellbeing. She wrote a book about men’s mental health which was published in 2020, and whilst visiting communities and talking about the book in 2020-21, many women attended the talks. When Cate asked them about a need for a similar book for women, the resounding answer was ‘YES’

The Flourishing Woman is a unique, holistic guide to fostering women’s mental health and wellbeing, allowing them to overcome challenges and flourish in life. It emphasizes the influence of mental health and wellbeing on the prevention of ill-health (physical and mental), and on living a satisfying and meaningful life.

The book addresses many topics that are highly relevant to adult women, including why women often put themselves last; ways to overcome stress, overwhelm and anxiety; reproduction, menopause and mental health; and managing parenthood challenges and relationship issues. Other topics include the impact of trauma and physical illness on mental health, and strategies to manage these impacts; and how to silence self-criticism and grow self-worth.

In writing about these topics, Dr Cate Howell sees her role as not only gathering and presenting the key information, but also being a companion for the reader, having a supportive voice and giving plenty of encouragement, all of which can help at times of challenge and times of growth.

Above all, The Flourishing Woman is a guide to fostering our mental health and wellbeing, which includes getting in touch with our authentic selves, feeling connected, growing as a person (even at times of challenge), and finding a sense of purpose and meaning. In other words, flourishing!

Contents

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………. 1

Let’s open the door to flourishing

1. Understanding women’s mental health and wellbeing………….. 10
2. The foundations of mental wellbeing and flourishing……………. 27

Overcoming challenges and growing mental health and wellbeing

3. Silencing self-criticism and enhancing self-belief…………………. 60
4. Taming stress and anxiety…………………………………………………. 82
5. Adapting to change and challenge…………………………………….. 117
6. Overcoming depression and distressing emotions…………….. 134
7. Dealing with other emotions and self-harm……………………….. 172

Dealing with issues across the lifespan

8. Managing menopause, hormonal and reproductive issues .. 208
9. Dealing with relationships and parenting………………………….. 228
10. The impact of abuse and trauma…………………………………….. 264
11. Managing other issues……………………………………………………. 284
12. Navigating later life………………………………………………………… 315

Final words on flourishing……………………………………………………. 328

Resources………………………………………………………………………….. 333

Endnotes…………………………………………………………………………… 335

Index………………………………………………………………………………… 352