Help for Life Transition Issues in DC, VA & TN

  • Are you a new parent or about to have another child and you’re scared of how life will change? You ask yourself, will I know what I’m doing? How will I handle another child?

  • Are you transitioning to retirement and scared to leave everything you knew?

  • Do you struggle readjusting to life now that the kids are grown up and moved out? Now what!?

  • Are you sick of people saying, “you signed up for this”, when they refer to things like military life? Feel alone, tired of moving, exhausted from deployments, dealing with unpredictable work schedules?

 

You’re scared of the current or anticipated change. Whether this is by choice or life handed this to you despite your closed fists, the new role or experience is here. You find yourself worrying, maybe even getting caught off guard with your own feelings, thinking, is this common…am I alone?

Regular stages of life can be challenging.

You’re about to leave the life you knew for a different version…hopefully…a better one right? Maybe that’s even what people tell you, that this will be great, just you wait! Only, you’re sitting there thinking, I don’t know if I want to leave what’s familiar. I was comfortable there. I’m supposed to be happy about this, but why am I nervous? Sometimes you might find yourself snapping at others, stuffing your feelings inside, or burying them in some unhealthy habits that are causing other problems with your loved ones.

You may be used to moving, used to new things, and able to handle it, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t take a toll on you somehow, or spill onto the kids, your partner, family, or coworkers. Life can be messy sometimes.

Change doesn’t have to be filled with fear. Finding contentment is within reach.

I’m here to support you.

Together we will…

  • In some cases we will review educational information in order to help build knowledge and confidence with your transition. For example:

    • Parenting skills (basic development of children, techniques for discipline, behavior modification, building self-esteem, building & maintaining bonds)

    • Developmental stages of life (empty nest time periods, retirement, aging, etc)

    • Grief and loss stages

  • Work to identify when you’re being flooded by emotions and what to do when it happens

  • Identify destructive thought patterns and how to stop them

  • Build & strengthen coping skills so you will have ways to fight against the depression and stress

  • Help you head towards a path to redefine what this change means to you and your life

You don’t have to keep longing for the past and fearing the future.

There’s a balance.

FAQs

 

What if I don’t know what to say when I get to the appointment?

First just know, it’s OK! It’s totally normal to feel uneasy about this and can even feel a little intimidating if you’re new to counseling, or even just new to me! I’m going to review your intake paperwork with you briefly, and through this, we will begin a conversation about what’s going on for you that you’d like help with. Most often, once we start reviewing this, it feels more comfortable. I will do my best to help guide you until you feel more at ease.

How will talking about this actually help when it won’t change the situation?

You’re right, we can’t change certain things, however we can work together to change how you react to the situation. We’re not talking about minimizing the loss, worry, what ifs or hardships, we will actually work to give those feelings space to breathe a little. What this means is that we will work on making decisions about them. Do you want to try and solve the problem, tolerate or manage it? Of course, you always have the right to remain miserable if you choose, but if you wanted that, you wouldn’t be reading this, searching for help. We will work together so you have a better ability, stronger confidence, and less negative impact from the change.

I’ve had some bad things happen in my life and this change is triggering for me…can you help with that?

Yes. Sometimes there are situational things in life that lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression or other problems. If we discover trauma(s) in your life that you’d like to work through, I am here for you. I bring expertise in trauma specific treatment to help. If you’re interested in this, please talk to me at any time. In order to best serve you, I may bring this up as well, if clinically appropriate.

How long will therapy take?

The short answer is, it depends. You can expect therapy to be like an onion. There are layers, it’s potent and sometimes makes you tear up, but in the end it’s worth it because it adds life to our plate. We will develop a specific plan for you and your needs. I’m always here to answer questions along the way.