Life stages and transition
Whether you're a tween moving on to middle school, an adult considering a move or job change, or a seasoned individual contemplating retirement, transition can invoke many emotions including fear, excitement, regret and joy. But what happens when the feelings associated with a life transition become too much to manage?
Counseling at Better Together Therapies can help provide clarity, direction and peace. You see, what may seem like a small transition to one person may not feel that way to someone else. These transitions can be positive, negative, planned, or unexpected and still have a strong effect emotionally. Below are a few examples of common life transitions that can affect one’s mental health:
- Job changes
- Change of school (youth and adolescents)
- Health problems
- Disabling accidents/tragedy
- Marriage
- Birth
- Divorce/Breakups
- Death
- Moving
- Travel
- Social/Political changes
Through the counseling process at Better Together Therapies, we will work towards helping you find a greater understanding of your situation, how it is impacting you and how you would like to move forward. Together, we will work on helping you build skills to manage your feelings associated with the transition, as well as assist so that you can develop healthy coping mechanisms to feel more grounded and accepting of your new normal. Some of the things we may focus on include but are not limited to the following:
- Accept that change is a part of life
- Remain curious — Change doesn’t have to be bad
- Identify and express feelings related to change
- Reframe negative or anxious thoughts
- Manage the stress associated with the transition
- Have realistic expectations about future outcomes
- Maintain a healthy routine during the transition period
- Engage in social interaction and support
- Appreciate the benefits of change and embrace future possibilities
If you or someone you love is needing some support around a significant life transition, please don't hesitate to reach out. Help, hope, direction and clarity is just a phone call away.