Life Transitions Therapy

Don't just adjust to change, THRIVE!

Whether it was expected, carefully planned or not, change can take you for a ride.

And if you're an expat, newcomer, or recently immigrated with no support around, a major life change can take a whole different meaning. A separation in a foreign country, your first child, or a sudden loss can hit you harder.

Dealing with change successfully may leave you feeling happier, stronger, more confident and better prepared for the next chapter in your life.

Here are a few examples of life transitions you may be going through and be having a hard time handling:

Beginning/end of a relationship
Marriage/ separation/divorce
Going to college
Changing careers
Mid- life
Moving/ expats/ repatriation
Loss of a loved one
Health to illness
Becoming parents

Therapy can make a significant difference in coming out on the other side healthy. A big part of my work is to help people get through important changes in their lives.

With the right support, change gives us the opportunity to learn new skills, increase our awareness about ourselves and others, and grow as a person.

Different life transitions, similar challenges

If you're willingly going through a “good” change (a promotion, an expatriation, a new relationship, becoming a parent...) you may wonder why you feel insecure, ashamed or confused - instead of happy.

Maybe you hide your doubts and concerns, by fear of being judged, and you're left feeling more alone. This is particularly common if you're a new mom, were recently married, or received a new promotion. From the outside, you look like you have it all together while inside you feel like you’re falling apart.

A change that was planned can also be challenging. Very few new parents will tell you that motherhood or fatherhood is exactly what they thought it would be, and for some, it can take a while to adjust. Normal, and expected.

If you're going through a transition unwillingly or unwittingly, you may feel shocked and off-balanced. Death of a love one, divorce, serious illness...You don’t see how life is going to get any better after that major change. How could you see any good in this transition?

You have to mourn not only the actual loss you experienced, but also all the hopes, dreams and beliefs you had attached to it.

It is difficult to adjust to change while going through intense feelings of sadness, fear, or doubt.

As humans, we tend to strive for predictability and routines. It doesn't mean we don't like novelty and adventure at times. It simply means we need a certain time to adjust to change. And some of us need more time and support than others. That's OK.

The time needed to adjust is often longer if the change was not wanted or expected (divorce, move, loss of employment, early retirement, loss of a loved one, breakup to name only a few). Additionally, transitions usually involve grief, as we have to mourn the loss of our old life, our old way of being, and adjust to the new way.

And with change comes resistance and stress. Finding healthy ways to manage your stress during that time will go a long way to help you adjust.

Our reactions to change are unique

We all handle change and major transitions in our lives differently. We may sail smoothly through one and hit a major storm during another. No two experiences are alike.

Some of us judge ourselves harshly for not being able to move on faster. Others hold on to the past like it's a life boat.

Whatever change you're experiencing, all transitions are composed of an ending, a neutral zone and a beginning.

Sometimes we get stuck in one phase, sometimes their orders get mixed up and create chaos in our lives, and sometimes we lack the tools to handle them all.

TAKE ACTION

Want to make an appointment? I'd love to hear from you. Find out how to get in touch .

EMAIL ME TO BOOK A FREE 20-MINUTE VIDEO CONSULTATION