Life Transitions Counseling

Is A Recent Life Transition Causing Emotional Turmoil?

Are you facing a change in circumstances that’s resulted in anxiety, confusion, and uncertainty? Do you feel like you’re at sea and no longer know what direction your life is going? Would having someone to confide in and express concerns to without fear of judgment be helpful?

Despite change being a normal part of life, it can be challenging to navigate, especially emotionally. Whether you're facing a career change, retirement, divorce, illness, or relocation, the upheaval can leave you unsettled and confused. Even positive life events, such as getting married, having a child, or becoming an empty nester, can bring up sadness, self-doubt, and apprehension about what the future holds. As this new life chapter begins, you may be paralyzed with indecision about how to shift gears and find your way.

You May Be Experiencing A Loss Of Identity

When life circumstances change, you are forced to change with them. However, the inherent lack of predictability when entering a new phase can create a sense of foreboding and make you worry about what life will look like now. Perhaps your identity was tied to a chapter in life that has now ended, such as a long-term relationship, career, or raising younger children. Without this critical component to center your identity around, you may feel lost and disoriented.   

When life transitions occur, counseling can help you articulate your fears in a safe and supportive environment. Working with a therapist can help you navigate the unknown more confidently by providing clarity and reassurance that you have what it takes to grow and move forward. 

While Change Is Never Easy, It’s How We Grow

Whenever we encounter a change to the status quo, it can unleash fears and insecurities that have laid dormant within. We may become consumed with uncertainty about what will be on the other side of this life change. Even seemingly happy life events we once looked forward to can be bittersweet. For example, finally reaching retirement or the empty nest phase of life can make us feel like we’ve lost our purpose and no longer know where we fit.

Whether we’re expecting it or not, these sorts of changes in life circumstances can bring about a sense of loss that is punctuated by grief. Without our job or role as a parent to define and validate us, it can be difficult to find meaning or feel like we have anything worthwhile to contribute. However, allowing something new to come into our lives often requires letting something else go. Ultimately, change is how we evolve and grow.

We May Be Reluctant To Seek Support

Unfortunately, many of us haven’t been conditioned to ask for help when we need it. We have been socialized to handle issues on our own and may think that discussing our dilemmas with a professional is a sign of weakness. However, admitting that you are struggling and could benefit from receiving support demonstrates that you are committed to your well-being.

Whatever life transition you may face—whether it’s retirement, a career change, a chronic or terminal illness, breakup, separation, or divorce—you can find support and guidance with counseling. By providing a forum to voice your concerns and imagine what you want your life to look like moving forward, you can open up a new world of possibilities for yourself.

Counseling Can Help You Navigate Life Transitions With More Clarity And Confidence

When you’re going through a challenge in life, someone simply asking you “How are you doing?” can become a loaded question. You might feel unsure whether to answer honestly for fear of unleashing your deepest fears on this unsuspecting person. Then again, keeping how you feel bottled up inside doesn’t help, either.

Life transitions therapy offers a safe space to explore your emotions and ponder your doubts, worries, and fears in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Working with a therapist allows you to overcome any resistance you may have to accept the new normal and process any emotional wounds that may be triggered by changes in circumstances.

What To Expect In Sessions

In our initial sessions, we will discuss your goals for therapy. Once I better understand what you want to get out of our time together, we can set tangible goals to achieve that. Collaborating on what success looks like for you will help us stay on track. I will check in periodically to ensure that we are on target or make adjustments if your initial goals have changed.

If you are struggling to redefine your purpose, I will help you process the emotions surrounding the changes taking place and determine how to achieve self-worth and identity from other areas of your life. Together, we will reexamine your values and identify what’s important to you. Allowing yourself to let go of what was and embrace what is will be a process. However, once you figure out what you want to do with the next phase of your life and tap into the support systems you have around you, you will realize that you can step into the future more confidently.

Life Transitions Therapy May Address Anxiety And Depression

For anxiety and depression, we will utilize mindfulness skills to help identify its underlying causes and learn practical tools to apply whenever you feel overwhelmed or stuck. Learning how to focus on the things you can control allows you to manage anxiety more effectively. With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), you will understand that life events are not the source of your distress; rather, it’s your thoughts related to the events themselves that cause distress. CBT and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) offer stopping techniques to prevent negative and irrational thoughts from spiraling.

When life gets challenging, it’s okay to allow yourself to feel your feelings. These emotions will eventually pass and won’t harm you. If you’re feeling unsettled, uncertain, and unclear about what’s next, that’s normal. I’m here to help you figure out what you value most and move into this new chapter with more confidence and clarity.

But Maybe You’re Not Sure If Life Transitions Counseling Is Right For You…

  • It’s common to believe that life transitions are “normal” and not significant enough to warrant seeing a therapist. Perhaps you’re ashamed to admit that a seemingly positive life change—such as retirement, a career change, or transitioning to an empty nest after sending your last child off to college—has been so difficult that you have considered counseling. However, any kind of change to the status quo can cause stress, anxiety, and depression. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness, to seek help.

  • Understandably, you might think you’re too busy to commit to therapy right now. However, I make life transitions counseling as convenient as possible. In addition to in-person sessions, our appointments can be held virtually and on the weekends for your convenience.

  • Everyone's needs are different. Some people need a longer time in therapy, while others may only need a few sessions. My goal is not to keep you in therapy forever but to help you become better at understanding your triggers and bringing your awareness to each situation to make decisions that promote healing.

Getting Support During Life’s Challenging Moments Makes All The Difference

When life closes a door, it often creates the opportunity for self-reflection and growth—transitions therapy will be your safe space to find a direction forward. To find out more about life transitions counseling at Dallas-Fort Worth Talk Therapy, you can visit our contact page to schedule a free 15-minute inquiry call.

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