Therapy for Major Life Transitions

Life is always changing. Sometimes that can feel good and exciting and it can feel overwhelming. You may feel like life is moving too fast and you don't have enough time to get caught up. You may feel unsettled, uncertain, or stressed by things being different. Maybe you want all the change to stop - you liked the way things were and you're resistant to having to adapt to something new. Maybe you like the changes that are happening and are frustrated or confused that you're struggling with it. You feel like you should be happier and handle things better than you are.

Some of these life transitions include:

• Going to a new school or starting college: You are now in an unfamiliar environment, with new social dynamics and academic demands. How will you fit in? Will you succeed?
• Finding a new job or changing careers: What do you actually want to be when you grow up? Will you be good at it? Is it too late? It can be exhausting and discouraging
• Losing a loved one: There’s all the grief and now every day is different because you can’t do life together with them anymore. Maybe the loss is ambiguous and you’re unsure how to move on.
• Becoming a parent: How do you adjust to a new human having total dependence on you? How do you adjust to a new relationship with your partner or a changing relationship to your body?‍
• Experiencing a break up or divorce: Untangling two lives that had once been so merged together can leave you uncertain about who you are and‍ who you can turn to. Your community may be changing and you may have to balance your feelings with the needs of your children or other loved ones. 
• Integrating a new identity: Maybe you were just diagnosed with ADHD or autism as an adult; maybe you're exploring your gender or sexual identity; maybe you're exploring your spirituality or faith through a deconstruction and reconstruction process‍
• Moving to a new area: You’re so alone and so lost (literally and existentially). This transition brings increased financial burden, disruption of your every-day routines, and physical and emotional exhaustion
• New diagnosis or health issues: Your schedule is full with new appointments; Your head swimming with new words for procedures, treatment modalities, and medications; Your body experiencing new sensations and symptoms; Your mind filled with worry, grief, anger, or despair
• Retirement and Aging: Who are you without the career you’ve had for 40 years? How do you adjust to a body that doesn’t match how young you feel inside? Will you ever get used to the goodbyes?

This is only a sampling of the types of transitions you may be experiencing in your life. Change may be the only constant, but the toll of managing change can be reactivated anew each and every time.

If you're in the midst of a major life transition, you might experience a range of emotional responses. Here are a few signs you could be struggling with a life transition:

• Anxiety or persistent worrying
• Sleep disruptions
• Feelings of overwhelm or helplessness
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions 
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Feeling detached or disconnected
• Increased shame or self-doubt

Recognizing these symptoms is the first step towards managing them and moving forward. 

Therapy is a place to slow down and create space for the transition. It is a space where you can grieve the things you are losing, process the uncertainties of what to do next, and prepare for all that the future is bringing. Your therapist can help you put words to the dissonance of all those conflicting feelings and help you with the shame of thinking you should be feeling something different. They can also help with some practicals - imagining different realities and helping increase your agency to be an active participant in the transitions of your life.

At Relational Psych, our goal is to support and guide you during life's biggest changes. Using a psychodynamic approach, we dive beneath the surface of your immediate reactions, exploring underlying patterns and unresolved issues that might be contributing to your feelings of unease.

For adults, we provide a safe space to explore fears, process emotions, and develop coping strategies. Our therapists help you build resilience and the confidence to face future transitions with a newfound sense of strength.

For teenagers, we aim to assist them in building a strong sense of self amidst the turmoil of adolescence. Our therapists help teens handle changes in relationships, school, and identity. Having a safe place outside of the home to process all these changes can be crucial for a teenager to express their true feelings and identify their needs. 

When working with children, we use age-appropriate techniques to help them understand and express their feelings. We can guide them in learning coping strategies that they can use to manage change now and in the future.

At every age and stage, we are here to navigate the winding road of life's transitions alongside you. At Relational Psych, you're not alone in your journey. Reach out now.