Grief and Life Transitions

Grief Counseling and Life Transitions

Are you struggling to cope with a big change in your life?

Life has a way of forcing us to deal with change. Whether you are—

  • Grieving the loss of a loved one,

  • Moving to a new area,

  • Starting or finishing school,

  • Changing careers, or dealing with the loss of a job,

  • Ending a significant relationship,

  • Becoming a parent,

  • Coming out as LGBTQ+,

  • Dealing with injury, or receiving a life-altering diagnosis,

  • Taking on a different role or responsibilities in your family or workplace,

  • Integrating a powerful spiritual experience, or exploring your relationship to religion or faith,

  • Beginning a new period of your life,

  • Dealing with aging,

  • Adjusting to a new identity,

…or anything else, you may be feeling overwhelmed by emotions and a sense of uncertainty and instability. Big life transitions elicit big reactions and emotions, as well as bringing up profound questions. For example, you might be wondering, How could this happen? What does it mean? Who am I now? What is my purpose? Where do I go from here?

It’s possible you’re not feeling the way you think you “should be” during whatever is happening. This is common. A complex mix of feelings is normal and healthy during any big life transition. You might even experience seemingly contradictory feelings about the same thing. For instance, perhaps as a new parent you sometimes feel sad, resentful, disappointed, empty, or angry, in addition to moments of joy, relief, and a healthy amount of anxiety. That’s okay! Or maybe, in the light of some horrific loss, you might also be experiencing feelings of relief, humor, or peace. That’s okay too! You’re adjusting to a pretty radical change in your life that carries a lot of meaning and impact. Complex reactions are to be expected. In therapy, all of you is welcome.

Perhaps you find yourself questioning yourself and your life, full of doubt as you adjust to changes. Perhaps there’s no choice at all and you find yourself forced to adjust to something you never wanted or imagined.

Times of change are difficult for everyone, and can be immensely uncomfortable, painful, and scary. But big transitions also come with the potential for immense growth.

Seeking counseling during big life transitions can help support you to make sense of the adjustments you’re being called to make. Times of uncertainty and difficulty are ripe with potential for transformation and healing.

I have helped counsel people through profound changes in their lives, including immense loss. I offer a supportive space to feel what you need to feel. Nothing you’re feeling is ever wrong, inappropriate, or “too much!” There is no “normal” timeframe for the process you are going through. I strive to support your own healing process in its natural rhythm, encouraging the emergence of your innate wisdom that seeks to guide you to a more integrated version of yourself in light of this new change.

If you’re wondering whether seeking therapy is right for you right now, please feel free to reach out! I offer a free 30 minute consultation session, which means we can talk about what you’re going through, and discuss honestly whether we feel like therapy is a good option for you at this point.