Counseling for Life Transitions
Are You Navigating A Major Life Transition?
Has a significant change occurred recently, like the end of a relationship, a career transition, or a move? Are you a new parent, or have your kids just left the home? Have you just lost a significant other? You may wonder how to navigate the new chapter ahead of you.
Going through a life transition can bring on a whirlwind of emotions, from overwhelm and confusion to grief, anxiety, and depression. You might struggle with other areas of life that used to feel effortless and wonder why you lack fulfillment.
Your roles may require adjustment, and you might explore new identities that make you feel unsteady and vulnerable. Therapy can be a beacon of light to help you navigate this shift and unpack how your life transition has impacted you, and integrate what comes next.
A Big Change Can Create A Lot Of Turbulence
It helps to have a safe space to figure out your way through a pivotal life shift. When confused in new territory, fumbling through the newness is normal.
It can be challenging to sleep well when your mind is unsettled. You might find yourself distracted and have difficulty completing tasks, exercising like normal, or feeling motivated to take care of yourself like you usually do. What used to work for you, like hobbies, emotional outlets, or self-care, may no longer work or provide the same nourishment.
Maybe you have an eerie feeling that your soul is not quite fulfilled but it's hard to put words to. Counseling can help you address the challenges of upheavals such as job loss, retirement, or becoming a new parent. Life transition therapy can help you meet the needs of your mind, body, and spirit in new ways in this next chapter.
We All Go Through Major Adjustments In Life
Many transitions, such as experiencing the loss of a loved one or adapting to a career change, often involve complexity and stress. It's important to remember that you are not alone in these struggles. While we may not be able to prevent these changes from happening, it can be comforting to know that others have faced similar challenges and have found their way through.
Life changes as time passes, and life asks us to change with it. For instance, we may know that our role as a parent will naturally transition, but it can be hard to fill the void and find a new identity once the children launch into the world.
Additionally, the adjustment to adulthood can be difficult for young adults. Graduating college is an achievement but often brings overwhelm, fear, and grief about the end of academic life—especially if we don’t know how to navigate the working world and live independently. As your therapist, I can support you on your journey of processing and navigating these life transitions.
Some Changes Are Circumstantial Or Unforeseeable
Life is complex and sometimes unpredictable. When a significant part of our life suddenly shifts, or a relationship ends, it can shock our system. We may long for clarification and guidance about how to live without that person or build new bonds.
Feeling mixed emotions and ambivalent about change is expected, yet it can be hard to understand this on our own. Society and many cultures are comfortable with certainty, clear and defined roles, safety, and predictability. When our path veers off the predictable course, knowing how to reconnect with oneself and stay centered on one's soul's purpose is hard. Therapy can help you find your footing.
Therapy Gives You Space To Process Your New Normal
No matter the area of life that has changed for you, my therapy practice can provide you with an environment to process your transition without judgment. My overarching goal is for you to feel clear, centered, and confident in your unique self and path forward. I am here to support you every step of the way.
During our first few sessions, we can explore the symptoms causing you distress. We'll determine how they might be related to a trauma response, depression, or anxiety and work on addressing how to manage them better. I can teach you coping skills and mindfulness exercises in counseling that will help bring peace into your daily life as you transition.
While extraneous life circumstances change, clarifying what you want internally is important—and counseling can help. As your therapist, I will make space for you to explore your current situation, process the loss of what was before, explore what's ahead of your life transition, and integrate these experiences to create a new perspective.
My Therapeutic Approaches For Finding Ease Within The Uncertainties
I use a psychodynamic and relational approach to psychotherapy, and the interpersonal process of our sessions allows us to explore, examine, and practice new ways to relate to others, speak up for yourself, and heal old wounded parts.
My Gestalt approach to counseling helps with processing things like grief and the loss of relationships. We might try activities like the empty chair technique, which allows you to get your emotions out in a safe space, repair old wounds, support closure, and express yourself to a loved one who has moved on.
Finding clarity about the next phase is not only possible, but it's also an opportunity for personal growth and new perspectives. Making space to explore the liminal space opens up a world of possibilities for something new. You can achieve deeper meaning, clarity, and a fresh outlook on life and what's in store. Life's curveballs make for a rich story if we learn to get creative with the cards we're dealt. Outer circumstances and inner landscapes require fine-tuning and adjustment to surf the waves of change, and therapy can be your guide in this journey of self-discovery.
You Might Still Have Concerns About Life Transitions Therapy…
I am concerned about the cost of therapy.
Investing in oneself is a commitment. Therapy is a journey to reconnect with your soul. When paired with the proper support, what you put into your process will often pay you back with more confidence, contentment, ease, and freedom to be your best self.
Your sessions may be reimbursable through your insurance. Contact your insurance provider to learn more about your out-of-network benefits.
Nothing will help me because therapy can’t change what has already happened.
Therapy can help you find hope again despite the transitions in your life. When we find suitable space and support, with curiosity and openness, the change process can be easier than we think. Even though the pain may be acute, hope is always possible. You may need to identify external or internal barriers to free up what's getting in the way of necessary changes.
Won’t others judge me for seeing a therapist?
While stigma about therapy can be an issue in certain communities, it's certainly not the case everywhere. Judgment and stigma typically come from people who have preconceived and outdated notions about therapy.
After a few sessions, most people realize the benefit of having an open space to explore their wants, needs, hopes, and fears without judgment. We can explore your concerns about others in our sessions together, as I imagine it's a challenging dynamic! Additionally, our sessions, conversations, and relationships will remain confidential.
You Don’t Have To Go This Time Of Transition Alone
Please use my contact form or call me directly at (650) 449 - 6054 to schedule a free, no-pressure, 20-minute consultation and discuss your needs. It’s possible to navigate this time of transition, even if it seems like a great hurdle in your life right now, and therapy can help you find your footing.
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