Life Transitions

What are life transitions?

Life transitions are significant changes that alter the way you live, work, or interact with others. They can be exciting, stressful, or often both. Examples include:

• Career changes
• Moving to a new city
• Starting or ending relationships
• Adjusting to new family roles

Even positive transitions like marriage and parenthood can stir up anxiety or uncertainty.

Why are transitions sometimes overwhelming?

Change often disrupts people’s sense of stability. A career shift might raise worries about job security or working with new people. A big move can leave you feeling isolated from friends or familiar communities. New relationships and becoming a parent disrupt familiar routines.

All of these alterations can be unsettling, causing stress and anxiety. For LGBTQIA+ individuals, transitions may come with added stress, such as navigating workplace bias, finding supportive healthcare, or building new, affirming connections.

How can therapy help during significant life changes?

Therapy provides tools to help you process your emotions, manage stress, and develop healthy coping strategies.

The Doran team employs approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reframe negative thought patterns and rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) to challenge unhelpful beliefs about change. Mindfulness-based therapy teaches grounding techniques that help you stay present during uncertain times.

Life changes often ripple into your closest connections. Couples therapy or family therapy can help loved ones to:

• Talk openly
• Adjust expectations
• Strengthen support systems
• Discuss difficulties constructively

For individuals exploring identity or personal history, narrative therapy and internal family systems (IFS) therapy can be especially helpful in making sense of your story and building self-acceptance.

Can therapy support people with past trauma during transitions?

Transitions can sometimes trigger old wounds or fears. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful option for processing past trauma, allowing you to face new changes with more resilience.

Psychedelic integration therapy may also be supportive for those who have explored or are considering psychedelic experiences, helping integrate insights into everyday life.

The Doran team understands that transitions can be complex, whether related to career, relationships, or identity, and provides affirming care that honors your whole self without judgment. Their therapists understand diverse experiences and help you navigate life’s changes with confidence and support.

Call Doran today or schedule a consultation online to discuss your life transition challenges.