Stress & Life Transitions
You may have come to this page because you’ve recently gone through something stressful.
Perhaps you just started or left university, changed jobs, became unemployed, moved houses or cities, started or ended a relationship, faced an unexpected accident or catastrophe, received a serious diagnosis, or lost a loved one.
While major transitions are a normal part of life, they can still be disorienting and you may be struggling to cope if you:
Have persistent physical symptoms (e.g., muscle soreness, headaches, stomachaches, heart palpitations, or changes in eating or sleeping patterns)
Feel sad, unmotivated, or hopeless
Feel overwhelmed, worried, tense, or agitated
Have been unusually impulsive, aggressive, or reckless (if you are engaging in dangerous behaviors or having thoughts of suicide, please tell someone you trust, get yourself to the nearest emergency room, or call a crisis hotline)
However you arrived here, I’m so glad you did. Read on to see if my stress and complex life transition services might help you.
It is normal to feel depressed, anxious, or irritable when adjusting to major life events (even desired ones!). However, it may be time to seek help if the stress you experience is greater than would be typically expected for the situation or if it disrupts your normal activities and relationships.
Because of difficulties coping with stress and change you may:
Begin to question your worth, abilities, or identity
Feel lost or unable to move forward
Soothe difficult feelings by engaging in activities that create new problems or make you feel unhappy with yourself afterwards (e.g., alcohol or substance abuse; compulsive spending; engaging in meaningless sex; overworking; etc.)
Withdraw from family or friends despite needing their support
If this is you, you need a holding space to understand how and why the stressful event affected your life and develop positive coping skills to navigate the transition successfully.
I view change as a great opportunity for personal development and together we can work to:
Implement a consistent routine so you can recover enough of a sense of control and mastery over your life.
Grieve for what you have lost in the transition.
Facilitate your acceptance of change and tolerance for uncertainty.
Develop the specific skills needed to deal with your current situation (e.g., communication skills, time management skills, self-care plan, etc.).
Reconnect with or build a support system.
Rediscover your strengths, review your life goals and establish a meaningful sense of direction.