Life Transitions
Life's major transitions - whether welcomed or unexpected - can stir up complex emotions and challenges. Humans are generally sensitive to change, and every major life change brings its own unique challenges to one’s routines, relationships, identity, sense of purpose or worth.
While many life transitions are natural and expected, such as retirement or becoming an empty-nester, they can sometimes trigger unexpectedly strong emotional reactions. Our response to present-day changes is often shaped by our past experiences with transition and change. Our brains are also wired to be alert to change as a potential source of threat. Even positive changes like marriage, career advancement, or the birth of a child, while exciting and joyful, can activate our stress response system, leading to anxiety, sleep disruption, or overwhelm. This is a natural neurological response - our brain's way of trying to keep us safe by heightening our awareness during periods of transition. Changes such as divorce or other painful losses can be especially disruptive of one’s routine and identity, and are often complicated by grief, which can sometimes trigger previous unresolved losses.
If you would like support and clarity during a life change that you are either anticipating or experiencing, you may benefit from Therapy in Small Doses. In a few focused sessions, I can help you understand your emotional responses and move through the transition with greater confidence and self-awareness.
However, if you find yourself experiencing intense anxiety or depression about a transition, struggling to move forward despite your best efforts, noticing that current changes are triggering strong memories of past losses or difficulties, or feeling overwhelmed by emotions that seem disproportionate to the situation, a course of psychotherapy would be beneficial. Together, we can determine the level of support that best serves your needs during this time of change.