Life Transitions
They can hit you at any stage of life…
As a child, you might lose a loved one or a pet.
As a teenager, maybe you have to move, change schools, or go to college.
In early adulthood, you get that first job… or get married.
You might LOSE that job… or get divorced as you cruise along.
And as you enter middle age, you or your parents might face serious illness. You might have that “mid-life crisis” you hear so much about as you realize you’re not as young as you were not long ago.
And into your senior years, you have to cope with the challenges of retirement and living in an “empty nest.”
It’s not easy for us at any age: The status quo is what we prefer, and in the face of upsetting it, resistance sets in.
Change can be exciting, but it can also be scary.
We look forward to normal life changes…
First pet
College acceptance
A career
Marriage
New baby
Empty nesting
New home
But other changes can be scary and uncomfortable, leading to anxiety and depression. In the face of a major life transition, they say, “One door closes, and another one opens.” But it’s not always that easy.
Pressure to make change causes negative self-talk. Anxiety triggers headaches, nausea, and insomnia. You are stuck. Uncomfortable. You know change is inevitable.
It is an overwhelming time.
Ambivalence is at an all-time high: disenfranchisement and disillusionment, excitement and apprehension. A myriad of emotions.
Can I do this? I just want to stay the way I am. There is too much unknown. Do I know who I am anymore? I’m angry I have to do this alone. Will I miss my old life? Am I doing the right thing?
What if I fail?
The fear of change is all-encompassing. It can have us act out, shut people off, or we may hide it like it is no big deal.
But it is… going it alone, starting from scratch, competing, proving yourself, being accountable… new territory to navigate. Don’t do it alone.
Here’s how therapy can help…
Therapy is the perfect place to work through transitions and adjust to uncertainty. In safety and at a comfortable pace, here’s what we’ll focus on:
Embracing your new role…
We will look at allowing yourself permission to slow down and be patient to test the reality of your situation. What negativity can you let go and what stands as a roadblock? Where are you overreacting? We will build positivity around your capabilities, strengths, and ability to adapt. Exploring irrational thinking patterns will help us accept what we cannot control and build the courage to step out of routine and onto something new.
Keeping active…
Healthy behaviors such as exercise, healthy eating, good night’s sleep, and social support are keys to navigating change. We will examine your daily habits, form a wellness plan that meets your needs, and formulate a self-care to-do list.
Finding new meaning…
Each new life event will come with some discomfort. Working on acceptance will allow you to free yourself from the notion that you need to have an answer for everything. We will identify your core values that motivate and guide your decisions. Look at your behaviors and ensure they match your values. If they don’t, we will commit to realigning them.
Building coping skills…
Learning to live intentionally is a lucrative skill. We will build affirmations that reflect how you want to live your life moving forward. They will reframe and redirect limiting thought patterns that take away your control. I will teach you to ignore the fight or flight instinct and instead focus on things you can control. I will offer alternate perspectives allowing you to foster a progressive mindset.
Instead of letting negative emotions hold you back, we will harness and nurture your strengths. We will build positive emotions such as curiosity, optimism, flexibility, and gratitude.
Validating positive changes…
This can be a time of learning, growth, and personal development if you let it. Your former life served you well enough. It got you here. Now it’s time to become a different version of yourself. I will provide validation to help you feel understood in a nonjudgmental space. We will process what support you need right now and reward your progress.
Let’s do this!
You may feel your problems are no big deal or trivial. You may think they will pass.
Don’t minimize what you are going through. Therapy is excellent support for change.
Let me help you leave the familiar behind and face what is ahead.
Don’t wait. Call today for your free consultation: (516) 446-8910.