ife transitions are a natural part of the human experience. No one stays in the same place forever, so we all go through both positive and negative transitions in life. Dealing with these changes on your own can be difficult, especially if the transition is unexpected or unwanted.
If you’re in the middle of a major life change, you might be struggling to remain grounded and maintain your sense of self. You were used to your previous routine and lifestyle, and you may have found comfort in the stability of your old life. Now, the usual cornerstones of your day-to-day life have changed, and you’re trying to understand your new roles.
Regardless of whether or not you anticipated a life transition, adjusting to change is not easy. It is, however, a great opportunity to learn about yourself and honor your strengths. You have the resilience needed to manage your life transitions, and you can grow from the experience. Successfully handling life transitions is always possible, especially with support from others.
The Beverly Hills Therapy Group offers therapy for major life transitions. We understand how challenging change can be, but we believe in your ability to embrace the transition. By developing coping skills, learning to manage stress, and reflecting on your own sense of self, you can successfully make it through your life transitions and find peace in your new circumstances.
Most Common Life Transitions
No life transitions are simple. Even changes that are generally considered positive, such as having a baby or getting a promotion, can dramatically change your day-to-day routine and your perception of yourself. No matter what type of transition you’re facing, don’t be upset with yourself for struggling with adjusting to change. Acknowledging and validating your own emotions is an important step in managing life transitions.
Here Are Some of the Most Common Life Transitions People Seek Therapy For
Death of a Loved One
Losing a loved one is among the most difficult and painful experiences you can go through. After a loved one passes, you have to adjust to life without them. If they were a part of your family unit, you may have to assume new roles now that they’re no longer with you. If they were a major source of support and companionship for you, you may be feeling lost without that connection. Therapy offers a safe, private place for you to process your grief and find ways to cope with the loss.
Marriage and Divorce
Both the beginning and the end of a marriage are significant life transitions. Learning to share your life with someone isn’t easy, and learning to live independently after a marriage can be incredibly difficult.
Children
There are a number of big life transitions involving children and families. Having a new baby is an exciting but overwhelming change as it adds a major new responsibility to your life. Blending families can be a difficult transition, too, and family therapy can be a valuable experience as the family learns to live together. If your children are growing up and moving out of the home, adjusting to the empty nest phase can also feel like a major transition.
Career Changes
Beginning a new job or changing your responsibilities at your current workplace can be stressful. Many people experience impostor syndrome when they start a new job, which is the belief that you aren’t as capable as others think you are. Retirement is another significant transition that affects your daily routine, social circle, and sense of self.
Managing Chronic Illness
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with a chronic illness or disability, you may feel like your whole life has turned upside down. You might have to adjust your lifestyle to manage your symptoms, and you may have to reevaluate your goals if they are no longer attainable. You can live a meaningful and fulfilling life with a chronic illness, but accepting the news of your diagnosis can take time.
Why Life Transitions Can Be So Difficult
If life transitions are so common and normal, why are they hard to deal with? You may wonder why you feel overwhelmed when going through a transition, especially if it’s one you’ve been anticipating.
For most of us, transitions are difficult because we are resistant to change. The life we know is more comfortable than all of the possibilities that are unknown or uncertain. Even if we’re not entirely happy with our current lives, it sometimes feels better to stick with what we know than to take the leap into something new.
This isn’t always an option, though. Life transitions happen whether we want them to or not, and seeing our world change can be uncomfortable. Instead of falling back into our typical, safe routine, we have to take active steps to learn our new roles and become familiar with our new way of life.
These changes happen both externally and internally. Your life transition may affect where you live, who you spend your time with, and what responsibilities you carry. On the inside, you may have to grapple with your identity. Your roles and responsibilities are an important component of your sense of self, and gaining or losing these identifying features can be a difficult internal struggle.
How We Can Help
Adjusting to change can be hard, but help is available. If you’re going through a major life transition, working with a therapist may help you accept and manage the change.
Your therapist is an unbiased, neutral party who is here to support you. They won’t judge who you are, where you’ve been, or where you’re going. Their goal is to create opportunities for you to self-reflect, face your fears, and come to terms with the transition.
During therapy, you can explore the reasons you feel overwhelmed by the change you’re experiencing. Maybe you’re stressed because of the new responsibilities, or maybe there’s another underlying cause for your anxiety. By understanding why you feel the way you do, you can approach the transition with a clear mind.
You and your therapist can also explore ways to cope with the change. You can learn how to challenge illogical or unhelpful thoughts you have about the transition and how to replace those beliefs with positive ones. You can also identify certain experiences or situations that trigger your fears about the transition, and you can discover ways to ease those fears as they arise.
If you feel lost or confused during a major life change, you’re not alone. Change is an unavoidable part of life, but we’re here to support you as you navigate your life transitions. The licensed counselors at The Beverly Hills Therapy Group can help you gain the tools and coping skills you need to settle into the new phase in your life. To connect with a life transition therapist in Beverly Hills, contact us today.
Call us at (888) 494-7788 to schedule your free consultation session!
Ron N. Gad, PhD
FounderDr. Ronen Nissan, PhD is the founder of Beverly Hills Therapy Group in California. Dr. Gad holds a PhD in clinical psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Along with his staff of licensed therapist, Beverly Hills Therapy Group provides mental health services for many disorders including anxiety, trauma, depression, and several others.