Dr. Jill Duba Sauerheber, a local Catholic counselor, will be offering a support group for Catholic women on their menopausal journeys. COURTESY OF DR. JILL DUBA SAUERHEBER
‘GEMMA’ program to support Catholic women in menopausal stages of life
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
After seeing numerous women – and couples – in her years as a therapist, Dr. Jill Duba Sauerheber recognizes a need for greater spiritual support for those experiencing the journey of menopause.
“When I meet with couples, they start talking about relationship dynamics,” she said. She often asks the wives, “tell me about your cycle” – and it is then that she realizes there is more happening beneath the surface.
Dr. Sauerheber is a professor and the department chair of the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, in addition to her work in private practice as a licensed professional clinical counselor.
She said women who are experiencing the premenopausal, perimenopausal, and menopausal stages undergo unique challenges in their lives and identities.
“This part of a woman’s life can feel like a tunnel with no light,” said Dr. Sauerheber, who belongs to St. Joseph in Bowling Green. “Any single second at a time could be drastically different.”
To address this need, Dr. Sauerheber will offer the opportunity for Catholic women to join her in a virtual, small group counseling experience geared toward those in the premenopausal, perimenopausal, and menopausal phases of their lives. The meeting dates are May 15, May 22, June 5, and June 12.
She named the group GEMMA, after St. Gemma Galgani, who experienced chronic illnesses and suffering throughout her life – which Dr. Sauerheber said is relatable to the woman undergoing menopause. She added that GEMMA is an acronym based upon “Group Experience for Mental health, Menopause, and (self) Attunement.”
“I like bringing St. Gemma into this,” she said, “moving through this struggle, moving through the darkness.”
Dr. Sauerheber said that both in her personal experience and in working with female clients in this part of their lives, the “integrative nature of our psychology” impacts a variety of feelings, including one’s sense of self.
“It can feel like I don’t have control of what’s going on in my head and maybe even feel like I’m hurting people,” she said, emphasizing “importance of faithful, spiritual support for that.”
Dr. Sauerheber said the four sessions will weave together psychological education, experiential practices, and guided group processing, offered within a safe space for healing and growth. She added that this group is not meant to treat chronic mental health issues.
Due to the clinical nature of the group, all participants will need to complete a formal screening and informed consent process to ensure an appropriate fit for the group. The group size is capped, and spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis after completing the screening, consent, and payment of a non-refundable group fee of $180, due within one week of invitation.
“It will be a bit different than an informal support group, because of the clinical nature,” said Dr. Sauerheber.
Participants will also be asked to purchase “The Menopause Brain” by Lisa Mosconi prior to the first meeting. No reading ahead is required, but the book will help provide a platform for specific conversations.
Dr. Sauerheber looks forward to working with these women as they explore “who they’re coming into, and where they came from.”
“(Menopause) can threaten our identity – or become one of the most enlightening windows of who we are,” she said.
Inquiries will be considered until April 24. To inquire and begin the screening process, email Dr. Jill Sauerheber at [email protected].
Originally printed in the April 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
