Life Transition Therapy
Are Stresses Over A Big Life Transition Causing Overwhelming Anxiety?
Perhaps you're expecting a new addition to the family or struggling to adjust to parenthood[PD1] . You and your partner might be facing challenges in trying to conceive, and you need guidance on what steps to take next. Maybe you’re navigating the adoption process, preparing for any empty nest, or dealing with unexpected health issues. Or perhaps you’ve switched to a new career or you’re struggling to adjust to life after a relationship or marriage ended.
It’s understandable how any of these changes can make you feel uncertain about your future. You could be a student that just graduated and may be unsure about what to do next and are scared of what tomorrow holds. If you lose a significant relationship or job, your very identity may feel thrown into question. It’s like you’re having to ask yourself: Who am I? What do I really want out of life? What kind of values do I want to hold onto?
Regardless of the specific life transition in your life, the important thing is recognizing the need for support. You might have noticed changes in your emotions and behaviors, with stress and anxiety taking a toll on your sleep patterns and causing you to withdraw from social interactions.
Living this way isn't sustainable, and seeking life transitions therapy could provide the tools to calm the chaos. This type of therapy can help alleviate anxiety related to major life changes and equip you with coping mechanisms for times of stress.
Stress From Major Life Changes Can Cause You To Have Trouble Communicating Your Needs To Others
If you feel like a major life transition has thrown off your sense of purpose and made you question where you are in life, you’re not alone. Life is full of change, and many people are in the same boat as you. It’s challenging to remain present at work, show up in relationships, care for yourself, and communicate effectively during significant life changes and transitions. You may feel isolated and uncertain about when things will improve. Symptoms related to life transitions can be overwhelming and lead to substantial distress without appropriate intervention. Some symptoms may include:
High blood pressure
GI Issues
Headaches
Feeling shaky
Racing thoughts
Low-self esteem
Lack of boundaries
Many individuals find that lacking a support system or feeling misunderstood by friends and family can contribute to the challenges of navigating a unique life transition. The support we receive during life transitions significantly influences the outcomes. In today's society, the prevalence of social media can lead us to question our approach to navigating life transitions and worry about potential judgment, which can further complicate our emotions and feelings.
Life transitions therapy can provide a support system, teach you how to manage your social media time, and give you a safe place to talk without judgment.
In Life Transitions Therapy, We Work Together As A Team
At Healing Journey, we recognize that some clients often lack support and may not know how to navigate their changes effectively. Whether you're finding yourself again after your children leave home, dealing with infertility, caring for an elderly parent, or facing a new health diagnosis, you might feel isolated and unequipped to manage the multitude of emotions that come with these transitions.
That’s where we come in with life transitions counseling. First, we begin by assessing the level of distress, anxiety, and depression you have when dealing with life transitions. Next, we identify the protective and supportive factors you already have and work on ways to enhance those support networks. From there, our therapists will start teaching you self-care techniques to manage worry and somatic symptoms during your life transition, incorporating tools and skills to help you cope effectively.
Our process goes on to guide you in setting short-term and long-term goals, using Radical Acceptance skills to navigate change while providing a safe space for you to process your emotions. We’ll support you in establishing realistic expectations for your recovery and creating daily routines to aid your transition.
Treatments Used In Life Transitions Therapy
Life transitions can encompass a wide range of experiences, from coping with the loss of a loved one to coming to terms with the disappointment of unfulfilled dreams, [PD1] such as struggles with infertility. We’ll equip our clients with psychoeducational tools and resources to effectively navigate these transitions, and we’ll actively encourage them to engage in self-care outside of therapy by providing access to workbooks, worksheets, and other supplemental materials. Some of our treatments can include:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT therapy will provide you with the psychological flexibility to handle life changes by utilizing mindfulness and the behavioral changes it brings.
Narrative Therapy: This approach allows you to rewrite your narrative to change negative thoughts about the transition.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This method allows you to change the thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes that negatively affect your actions.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Therapy that helps balance who you are and challenges you instead of just looking at the negatives.
Brainspotting: A mind-body approach that uses eye positions to help people identify and release emotions and trauma, career development, and performance anxiety.
Here at Healing Journey, we believe that how we navigate life transitions can significantly impact our ability to reach our full potential. Throughout our experience, we have witnessed clients who have adapted effectively to life changes and those who have struggled to make the necessary adjustments. It's essential to recognize that with the proper support and guidance, individuals can work through life transitions in a positive, healthy manner, ultimately leading to significant self-discovery and personal growth. By providing appropriate support and intervention, life transitions can be valuable learning experiences that foster individual development and growth.
You May Be Interested In Life Transitions Therapy But Have Some Questions…
Can I do telehealth therapy at work or at home?
One great aspect of telehealth is the ability to connect with your therapist from the privacy of any location. Whether during a lunch break in your car or at home in a private space, patients can benefit from the convenience and privacy of telehealth therapy. This means less time off work and the flexibility to fit sessions into your daily routine without interruption.
Will it take a long time for therapy to make a difference?
Therapy is a unique experience for each individual. Our objective is to help clients feel better after each session. We actively encourage our clients to utilize the tools they have learned during sessions in their daily lives to ensure that therapy progresses in a positive direction. Throughout treatment, we’ll continually check in with you to make sure you’re meeting your goals.
Do I have to take medication to get better?
Deciding to take medication is a personal choice, so we’ll never pressure you to take it. Your therapist can provide you with information and support regarding medication options and evaluation. Suppose you decide to explore medication as part of your treatment. In that case, your therapist can assist you in finding a suitable psychiatrist to conduct a medication evaluation with,
Are You Ready To Accept Change Into Your Life?
If you’re ready to stop living in fear of change, call 888-959-6114 to set up a free 20-minute discovery call, or click the buttons below to contact us or schedule your consultation!
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