Life TransiTIONS

Finding a therapist for Moments of Change

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Whether they were expected or not, life transitions can often surface more obstacles than were intended to tackle. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you, actually, it’s the opposite, it means life is happening.

Our professionals can provide the support you need to dive deeper into your healing. We are here to help you through the change in your life.

Adulthood

Reaching adulthood is a major life transition. Going from being told what to do to choosing your daily actions can be an eye-opening moment for many young adults. And it doesn’t stop there—many aspects of adulthood are transitions, like switching careers, moving, or starting a new relationship.

Marriage & Parenthood

Couples who feel ready for marriage or parenthood might not realize their lives will change drastically. These moments can test a relationship, no matter how strong. By obtaining help before and throughout a transition, you’ll make sure you take the right steps to keep your relationship healthy.

Unexpected Moments

Life is unpredictable, and there are many life transitions that arise from unexpected situations. People who experience a sudden loss or develop a life-threatening disease often find that their lives have changed in countless ways. Adapting to these changes takes time and resilience, but you don’t need to do it alone.

Retirement

For those who have already gone through some of life’s major transitions, change is still not over. Retirement and empty nests are common moments where feelings of loneliness might catch people off guard. No matter the feelings or emotions, it’s always nice to receive support.

THE BENEFITS OF CHANGE

Life transitions can be planned or unexpected, but in either case, they can be difficult to confront. Change is not easy, whether we know it’s coming or not. Even though change might be unwanted in your life, the benefits that come from dealing with the challenges of change can improve your well-being.

Influence Personal Growth

When you go through a major life change, you get to assess your current skills and traits and find out if they will continue to help.

You might look forward to a change, but the consequences leave you struggling. For instance, receiving a college degree is usually an exciting change. However, after entering a competitive job market, feelings of inadequacy might seep in. Growth stems from meeting challenges head-on.

On the other hand, change might come unexpectedly. You might suffer a death in the family, and be stifled by grief and loss. However, learning to cope without a loved one will make you stronger, more confident, and help prepare you for other challenges in life. Even the changes that are unexpected or unwanted can bring with them beneficial outcomes that stay with you for the rest of your life.

Discover What Matters

Life transitions help you determine who and what really matters in your life. Many life transitions put people at a crossroads. Do I keep my friends, even though they didn’t support me? Do I stay in this relationship, even though we are drifting apart?

These are moments of reassessment, of realignment. Moments where you can take stock of the positive elements in your life and the negative ones. Moments to decide if you’re on the right path toward becoming the person you want to be.

You are the one who makes the decisions, but often it can be very difficult and stressful to come to terms with change. Having a therapist to talk to while you’re experiencing change can be incredibly beneficial and help you emerge on the other side with more perspective and knowledge about yourself.

TIPS FOR LIFE TRANSITIONS

Accept Change As A Part Of Life

They say nothing in life is guaranteed. Change comes at us at any point, without checking if we are alright. The best way to cope with life’s unexpected moments of transition is to accept that change is a part of life.

Once we come to terms with change, we are often in a much better place to challenge ourselves and rise to our potential. It also forces us to live in the present. Be thankful for what you have today because life might change.

Recognize Your Strengths

We all have hidden talents—some not so hidden—that tend to come out when we face a stressful moment. The Roman Poet Horace said: “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant.” Change can bring out the best in ourselves, and it is beneficial to use that to our advantage.

In a moment of difficulty, recognizing your strengths can lead you to self-improvement. You’ll develop the confidence you need to face your challenges, and you’ll gain more knowledge about yourself that will help you succeed later in life.

Build Support Systems

Whether you’re going through an expected life transition or an unexpected change, having support from people close to you will help you navigate that situation in productive ways.

Many people join communities related to their life transition. Others join local sports leagues, board game clubs—all that matters is that you are spending time with people who appreciate you, that you are doing something you enjoy, and that you are able to reach out to others who could provide you with the support you need through your transition.

Frequently asked questions

The truth is: everyone is different. While one person may need assistance in one area of their life, others might feel more confident. However, we believe therapy can benefit everyone who goes to a major life transition. Seeing a therapist can help those who need extra help find their way through a safe process.
Life transitions are big moments in our lives where often experience major emotions and distressing thoughts, and having support shouldn’t be something that has a negative value associated with it. You might find that one session is enough to help you, or you may feel like you want additional help. Our goal is to provide you with whatever support you need during a stressful time.
There are a few go-to’s we recommend for anyone who feels overwhelmed by stress. Exercise, relaxation techniques like meditation, and a wholesome diet can do much more than you think. If you are able to make your body healthy, a healthy mind becomes a much easier goal.
However, there may be issues that you cannot deal with at home. Many people who have trouble adjusting to change report feeling symptoms of depression and anxiety. If your stress related to your life transition reaches a certain point, it might be beneficial to see a licensed therapist in order to address your underlying needs more urgently.
Limiting change is one of the ways in which people who are going through life transitions maintain control. One simple way to limit change is to avoid making any big moves while you’re going through your transition. For instance, if you’re switching careers, it might not be in your best interest to move to a new city. If the first transition is already overwhelming, the added pressure of being in a new place with new people might be too much.
Moments of change are moments of learning. There may be parts of your life that are holding you back, whether it’s elements of your personality, people, or special circumstances. Therapy can help you discover what is holding you back and give you the push you need to leave that behind. On the road to improvement, there are many obstacles, some even placed by ourselves. Change can be a great catalyst for improvement.