Would You Like Guidance Transitioning Into a New Stage of Your Life?
Do you feel like you are:
Lost, alone or stuck looking ahead to an uncertain future?
Restless, as if you have some potential or purpose you are not recognizing?
Not adapting well to changing careers, living in a new city or going back to school after raising children?
Experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression or suffering from the loss of a loved one?
Grappling with the role of being a new parent, co-parent or the sole tenant of an empty nest?
Having trouble dealing with a rough breakup or marriage problems?
Struggling with financial difficulties?
Making a smooth transition into a new stage of life can be intimidating for anyone. Would you like the sense of peace and security that comes with knowing you have complete ownership of your life and your future?
Change Is the Nature of Growth
Life is full of ups and downs. It is a constant flux of loss and gain, grief and happiness, strife and triumph. Most of us inevitably will mourn the loss of a loved one, celebrate the arrival of a newborn or face the challenge of restructuring our lives in some grand way. Change is just a natural part of life.
However, when fear or grief get in the way of our ability to make tough decisions or transitions confidently, we can get stuck in a place we don’t want to be. Even when it’s ultimately beneficial to us, change, by its very nature, makes us uncomfortable and can distort the way we view ourselves and our world. That distortion can make us feel overwhelmed, inadequate or hopeless. As a result, our jobs, relationships and physical and mental health can suffer
Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to facilitate greater change in your life. With the help of a life transitions professional, you can take charge of your future and meet life’s challenges with grace and confidence.
Life Transitions Therapy Can Give You Ownership of Your Future
Individual counseling for change gives you a place to have your concerns heard, understood and validated by an empathetic expert who can offer you unbiased support and guidance. It is a place of collaboration where you can learn how to manage stress, cope with change and devise your own solutions for happiness. And, it is an opportunity to work with a trained professional who can help you draw a clear roadmap to your future.
In a space of safety and respect, I will work with you as a facilitator and ally, targeting ways in which you can improve your life and make decisions confidently. We’ll begin by identifying where you are in your life, where you want to be and what limitations you perceive within yourself. I’ll help you cultivate a greater sense of empowerment and control by drawing upon your intrinsic capacity for change and visualizing that which you wish to change. While focusing on your personal goals and concerns, together, we will create a plan of action—a blueprint for the changes you want to make in service of your career, relationships or personal trajectory.
Over time, life transitions therapy will help you develop a greater connection to your own ability to successfully navigate change and in the process, give you greater ownership of your life.
Not everyone is going to have the same experiences or challenges in life, so I like to use the strategies that I think will serve your goals best. For instance, if you are struggling with stress and anxiety, I can educate you on how anxiety affects the nervous system and creates the uncomfortable sensations of unease. I’ll introduce you to breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation techniques that can help you cope with stress and sudden attacks of panic.
If you are dealing with relationship issues, I may teach you the John Gottman approach to nonviolent communication and peaceful conflict resolution. We can also weave cognitive behavioral work throughout our sessions to help you overcome perceived limitations and generate a sense of confidence and accomplishment.
Sitting on the fence about an important decision? We can run through the decision-making process together and explore potential pros and cons while looking at practical ways of improving your situation. I also enjoy using journaling to facilitate greater, personal introspection. Looking deeper within yourself will help identify what you truly want, granting the clarity you need to overcome the immobility caused by overwhelming doubt or stress.
Making a transition into a new stage of your life can be a daunting and lonesome experience; however, you have the natural ability to navigate any challenge you face. With my help, you can find your internal strength, cultivate inner peace and actuate the change you want in your life. Personal counseling can help you take ownership of your present and future.
I am considering life transitions therapy, but I wonder about a few things…
My life is so busy already: do I really have the time for counseling?
I understand that it can be hard trying to cram all of your responsibilities into one day. However, sessions only require one hour a week. With the clarity and empowerment you can attain, you can recoup all the time you would otherwise lose by questioning yourself and vacillating between options. Personal therapy is like going to the gym for your personal, professional and family life. It’s an investment in your mental and physical health: a generous gift to yourself that keeps on giving.
I am afraid of the social stigma attached to professional counseling.
If there is one thing none of us will ever run out of, it’s detractors and critics. So, there is absolutely no reason to let a perceived taboo get in the way of living your life to its fullest. Besides, therapy really does not carry the stigma that it once did. The importance of stable mental health is becoming more and more apparent each day in our society and, in turn, so is the efficacy of therapy.
The benefits of asking for help when you need it will always outweigh the risk that comes from ignoring or trying unsuccessfully to self-correct your situation. Don’t let fear of judgment dictate who you are and what you want for yourself.
Can therapy really work?
Therapy is certainly effective. There are decades of research showing clear evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of therapy. The vast majority of research indicates the number one factor for predicting success in therapy is the rapport between the client and the therapist. Life transitions counseling gives you an impartial ally who can bear your pain without judgment, help you create solutions that fit your values and hold you accountable to your words and intentions. If you want to move beyond where you are or heal from an emotional injury, counseling can give you that authority to claim your life.
Your Future Is Waiting
If you are struggling to make a transition or change in your life, I can help. Please call 678-631-8099 or email me at KatHainesTherapy@Hushmail.com to set up your free 15-minute consultation. I would be happy to address any concerns or questions you may have about my practice or approach to life transitions counseling.
