Therapy for Life Transitions
Mental health support for the ups and downs
(and curveballs) of life.
At ECC, we provide personalized therapy to navigate major life transitions.
Stress from Major Life Transitions
From careers and relationships, to the places we call home, life transitions can be stressful, even when we choose them. Oftentimes, we experience life changes that we have no control over, from death of a loved one, to a job loss, and financial troubles. How we cope with stress can be put to the test in new and unexpected ways, and may bring up old wounds or conflicts we thought we had worked through. Acute stress and anxiety from major life transitions can lead to physical discomfort, too. A therapist can help you manage the stress and anxiety and adapt to the new circumstances in your life.
Life Transitions that Lead People to Therapy
Therapy can help people through all sorts of life transitions that span the range of human experience:
Death
Divorce
Relationship changes
Marriage
Parenthood
Fertility struggles
Aging
Retirement
Perimenopause / menopause
Coming out as LGBTQ+
Gender transitions (transitioning yourself, or supporting a loved one who is transitioning)
Job loss
Career transitions
College to work transition
Caregiving for sick or aging loved ones
Moving to a new city
You do not have to journey through these types of changes alone. A trusted mental health professional can help you find healthy ways to cope and adapt.
When to Seek Therapy for Life Transitions:
Life transitions often come with pressure – pressure to make decisions, pressure to perform (especially in a new job or career), pressure to handle the daily responsibilities of life amidst change. That pressure can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles. It can also lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, chronic pain, panic attacks, digestive issues, trouble sleeping, and more. When these feelings and symptoms interfere with your ability to enjoy life and function day-to-day, a therapist can provide support and help you navigate the journey with healthy coping skills.
How Therapy Helps with Life Transitions
From early childhood, we develop coping mechanisms for experiencing the ups and downs of life. With each new challenge and opportunity, those coping mechanisms become more deeply ingrained in how we respond to the world. Some of these coping mechanisms are healthy (journaling, making art, listening to music, going on a walk), and some are maladaptive (substance abuse, isolating from loved ones, high-risk behaviors). The more challenging the life transition is, the more our coping strategies are tested. In therapy, you'll have a chance to unpack what this life transition is making you feel, how it's challenging your ability to cope, and what kind of skills you need to help you adapt in a healthy way.
At ECC, a therapist can help you explore how this life transition is challenging you. Our therapists may use one or a combination of these modalities to provide mental health support:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment that helps people learn new ways of thinking and behaving to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help people improve existing coping skills or learn new ones, as well as tolerate distress around life transitions.
Narrative Therapy can be used to identify stories that we are living from the past and make choices around alternate narratives for the future.
No matter where life takes us, there will always be opportunities for growth and self-discovery. You and your therapist can take that journey together so that you don't feel so alone and confused.
At ECC Chicago, we’re committed to working with clients to find the right therapeutic method and therapist to suit your needs. Our diverse group of licensed therapists offer a multidisciplinary approach to mental health, often combining different therapy methods to suit our clients’ unique needs. Reach out to schedule an intake session today. Together we can help you connect meaningfully with your life.
Learn more about our approach to therapy by reading our blog:
