Managing Life Transitions

     Life transitions often come with a sense of uncertainty and fear of the unknown. There are no guarantees and stepping into the unfamiliar can be daunting.

  It helps to set realistic expectations acknowledging that it’s normal to feel a range of emotions during the adjustment period such as confusion, anger, regret. Transitioning to a new phase takes time and patience. Shifting direction, losing a job, moving into a new career path, changing relationships, moving countries, dealing with different cultural environments and adjusting to a new lifestyle can challenge our sense of self. Some people struggle to adjust to the concept of “middle age” and might experience what is usually referred to as a mid-life crisis. Other life events that might cause high levels of stress include: getting married, leaving university, becoming ill, becoming bereaved, and retiring.

    Unexpected events and circumstances can push us to question our roles, values and the direction of our lives. Stress can affect everyone differently with some of us facing symptoms such as: difficulty sleeping, low energy, headaches, feeling overwhelmed, irritability, social isolation.

     If you find it difficult to manage the stress caused by such challenges, your mood is significantly impacted and any other important areas of life are affected you might benefit from a consultation with a therapist.

     The process of psychotherapy offers a safe and private space to explore your concerns, doubts and fears. Through self-reflection you can gain insight into the factors that have influenced your identity, roles, and values and come to a clearer understanding of who you truly are. Challenging times and transitions can be emotionally taxing and psychotherapy can support you to develop coping skills, enhance emotional regulation and build resilience to manage stress and uncertainty.

   We will seek to identify and challenge assumptions, limiting beliefs and the patterns that no longer serve you. This process will assist you to clarify your values and align them with your goals and aspirations so you can make informed choices. Taking the time to process life changes allows for understanding, acceptance and a renewed sense of direction and purpose.