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Once a female orca whale has gone through menopause, what position does she take in her pod? Recognised as a source of ecological knowledge that's essential to survival, she takes the lead. With the right support, women can also emerge from the menopause transition ready to step into their true authority. That's the 'orca effect' this program offers.
“Taking back control through learning about this new phase of life has definitely helped me. ”
“I now have growing confidence in myself as an older woman who has much to offer.”
“This forum has been wonderful ... especially hearing 'elders' encourage and support us.”
"The change from fear to clarity was priceless."
The Orca Effect is a 7 week program that creates a confidential, respectful space, connecting professional working women who are going through menopause, so they can maintain their confidence and wellbeing, and emerge from the transition truly embracing their authority.
It can be really unsettling when you experience some of the common menopausal symptoms, such as insomnia, heavy bleeding, hot flushes or brain fog, when you are at work. You may feel you can’t talk about what is really going on lest you make others feel uncomfortable, or you are perceived as not being up for the job. Unfortunately, the isolation created by the fear of naming menopause, just adds to the stress you already might be experiencing.
What’s more it deprives you of the NUMBER ONE Determinant of wellbeing: Supportive Relationships.
The Orca Effect is designed to give you back this potent source of wellbeing by building your Foundation of Support in three dimensions:
Social Support
The social support you gain from other women going through a similar experience to you, will normalise the experience and offer great relief.
Supportive Mindset
The supportive mindset that you consciously create for yourself will help you see menopause in a more empowering light and help inoculate you against negative cultural stereotypes of older women
Supportive Practices
The supportive practices that you learn and prioritise will help you maintain your ability to work well
What does the Orca Effect Program involve?
Small group interactive learning program
A 7 week interactive learning program for 10 to 15 women
Connect with other professionals
Drawing together women from different workplaces
A place to talk
Creating a space where women can talk about menopause in a real and respectful way, adopt an empowering understanding of this life-stage while learning about the wellbeing practices that can best protect women’s effectiveness at work
Is this opportunity for you?
Feeling challenged by the symptoms of menopause, no matter how mild?
especially in relation to your current professional role and/or workplace culture?
Ready to make some empowered choices?
in relation to your personal and professional wellbeing?
Want to help build our understanding of the needs of working women, mid-life?
Naming and addressing your own needs will be invaluable for the women who come after you
Please be aware that this program is designed to complement, not replace, treatment by a medical or allied health professional
What others have said...
Transformational
My takeaway from this project was transformational for me on a number of levels. Firstly, realising that menopause needs to be recognised as a legitimate workplace well-being issue, with support mechanisms put in place for women during this life stage.
On a personal level, my perception of myself is being transformed. Initially as a 'mature' woman, I felt disempowerment, invisibility and a lack of validation. I have learnt to change my perception of myself and I have a growing confidence as an older woman who has much to offer, in terms of experience and insight, to the world we live in.
Kerry O’Connor, Education Sector, Queensland
Freeing
Until I met Thea and participated in this group, I had no idea of the impact menopausal symptoms have had on my ability to work and my sense of emotional, mental and physical wellbeing.
This forum has been wonderful. Taking in information specifically related to menopause, hearing ‘elders’ encourage and support us, and being able to talk to others facing similar experiences has been freeing and enabled me to look forward with hope to become a better version of myself. Thank you Thea.
Pauline Bradford, Academic Librarian, South Australia
Permission to Reflect
I would recommend this to other women because of the insights I gained and it was really easy to feel comfortable with the other participants and especially Thea.
Taking back control through learning about this new phase of life has definitely helped me.
I loved listening to psychologist & ‘guest elder’ Cynthia Hickman early in the program. Power, wisdom and eldership were spoken about so beautifully.
As a result of participating in the program I have given myself permission to step away from my career for a while as I reflect on where to next?
Kylieann, Victoria
Features of The Orca Effect:
Confidential
All participants must agree to confidentiality before entering the program to help create an environment where women feel safe to talk frankly.
Moderated
I will be presenting and facilitating each session to encourage self-reflective learning, while helping to keep the space free from advice giving and inadvertent self put-downs.
Natural Wisdom
As women from different workplaces pool their existing personal and professional experience, the wiser we all become.
Quality Information
As a health journalist and qualified health professional, I love finding the best information I can on a topic from around the world, by interviewing national and international experts. With menopause my current focus, I’ll be channeling the best of what I discover, into The Orca Effect.
Action Learning
Carefully selected material is presented each week to support each week’s theme, then the real learning takes place between sessions when participants apply key concepts to their daily life and return with lessons learnt, ready to share.
Inter-generational
We will hear from female elders - professional working women who have completed menopause. As guest speakers on The Orca Effect they will share their experience, offer a retrospective view of this transition and answer your questions.
Listen Here to a casual chat with one of our 'guest elder' presenters.
Here's what you get:
Weekly interactive 1.25 hr webinar
For 7 weeks. Recordings available.
Access to a private Discussion Group
where you connect with other participants
Curated Education Material
each week you will have access to short videos, articles and practical exercises that we can discuss in the live webinars
Access to a clearing house of quality resources.
for unlimited use after the program, includes workplace strategies
Guest presentations
from female elders who've 'been there.'
The Program:
Week 1:
Setting the Scene: Introductions, your experience and the current state of play regarding women, work and menopause.
Week 2:
Mindset Matters. Examining our beliefs and refreshing our take on menopause.
Week 3:
Body: Caring for a Changing Body. Sustaining your energy and keeping your cool.
Week 4:
Mind: Staying sharp mentally. Managing your workload & work expectations.
Week 5:
Soul: Purpose and what matters most for this next life stage? What needs to change?
Week 6:
Speaking Up and Being Seen. From embarrassing moments to constructive conversations. Antidotes to the 'invisible older woman' sydnrome.
Week 7:
Supporting yourself: Building your council of elders. Distilling learnings.
Helpful Menopause Resources
Download a list of good resources (books, videos).
Limited places available in this program
Program Price
$399 + GST
This once a year special includes recordings and lifetime access to resources ( latest research, videos, articles and takeaway resources) plus 1-1 contact with Thea between webinars as needed.
2025 Program Dates:
Weekly on Tuesday evenings - starting late February 2025.
Or, enquire about having this program run in-house for your organisation enquiries@thea.com.au
A diverse range of professional women from around Australia have participated in this program (formerly known as The Change . You will be benefiting from their experience, insight and feedback, which I use to continually improve the program to meet your needs.
Maybe you are thinking...
Ask away I'm here to help...
Send me an email through my contact page here or give me a call now on 0412 190 860. If you know anything about me at all, you’ll know I am not into pushy sales. But I am into making sure you know everything you need so you can make an informed choice and feel good about it.
Enrolments
Step 1
Fill out the enrolment form and we'll transfer you to our paypal account where you can pay by credit card or paypal. Program fee is $399 + GST = $438.90
Step 2
We'll send you a welcome email with everything you need to know about the program.
Step 3
We'll be in touch with you over the next few days to confirm details, program dates and times and make sure you have everything you need to start the program.
For now, mark the dates in your calendar.