Endocrine, Hormonal, and Neurocognitive Health
Leslie Faria Mendes
10/9/20251 min read
When the mind and body speak different languages, therapy translates.
For some people, psychological distress doesn’t start in the mind alone. Hormonal changes, chronic inflammation, or neurological differences can all amplify anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and emotional dysregulation. Over time, these biological factors shape how a person thinks, feels, and copes — often blurring the line between what is “psychological” and what is “physical.”
It’s within this overlap that much of my work lies — where the body and mind speak to each other in complex, often misunderstood ways.
Many of my clients live with thyroid disorders, PCOS, PMDD, or perimenopausal changes — conditions that can profoundly affect mood, focus, and energy. These shifts are not imagined; they are physiological realities that influence how the brain regulates emotion, motivation, and stress.
When these systems fall out of sync, it can feel as though your personality has changed, your tolerance has vanished, or your resilience has been hijacked.
In therapy, we explore how these biological processes influence emotional well-being, and how you can respond to them with knowledge rather than fear. Through collaboration with medical specialists, we integrate psychological, behavioural, and physiological insights — helping you build sustainable strategies that work with your body’s rhythm instead of against it.
My goal is to help you restore balance — to understand your body’s signals, manage their emotional impact, and regain confidence in your ability to function and thrive. Because when mind and body finally begin working together, healing becomes not only possible, but deeply sustainable.
Leslie Faria Mendes
Clinical Psychologist (MPsych, UJ)
084 097 0127
Blubird Medical Suites
First Floor, BluBird Shopping Centre
Birnam, Johannesburg, 2196
The Ordinary Therapist
BA Honours Psychology (UJ)
MA Clinical Psychology (UJ)
PR no: 0563978
HPCSA no: PS0121983
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