Therapy for Life Transitions — When You’re Hard on Yourself for Struggling
Something in your life has changed—and you’re overwhelmed.
What’s making it even harder is how much you’re judging yourself for feeling that way.
You might be telling yourself you *should* be coping better. That other people would handle this more gracefully. That if you were stronger, more grounded, or more resilient, this wouldn’t be hitting you so hard.
Your exhaustion makes sense.
And this is not therapy that asks you to push through something that actually needs care.
When Change Feels Harder Than You Think It “Should”
Life transitions can be obvious or subtle. They can be chosen or unexpected.
They can include things like loss, illness, a move, a career shift, a relationship change, becoming a caregiver, or realizing that an old version of your life no longer fits.
Even when a change is meaningful—or even wanted—it can still be deeply disorienting.
You might notice:
Feeling overwhelmed by things that used to feel manageable
Questioning yourself more than usual
A sense of being unsteady or unsure who you are right now
Guilt or shame for not “handling this better”
Pressure to get back to normal, even when normal no longer exists
If you’re struggling, it doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means something important has shifted.
Why This Is So Hard (And Why It’s Not a Personal Failure)
Many people come to therapy during a life transition not just because of what changed—but because of how harshly they’re treating themselves in response to it.
Instead of receiving support, they tell themselves to toughen up.
Instead of slowing down, they push.
Instead of grieving or adjusting, they judge.
In our work together, we gently widen the frame. We look at what you’re responding to—not just how you think you *should* be responding.
When your experience is understood in context, self-blame often begins to loosen.
And when your nervous system feels understood rather than pushed, it can begin to soften on its own.
What Working Together Can Feel Like
Therapy with me during a life transition isn’t about forcing clarity or rushing you toward the next version of yourself. It’s about creating enough steadiness that you don’t have to carry this moment alone.
In our sessions, we’ll:
Slow things down so you can make sense of what’s changing
Gently sort through what you’ve been carrying—and what no longer needs to be yours
Make room for grief, confusion, relief, or mixed feelings without judgment
Notice where self-criticism has crept in and soften its hold
Support you in rebuilding trust in yourself as things shift
You don’t have to explain yourself perfectly, make quick progress, or prove that you’re “doing it right” here.
Over time, many people notice they feel less tense inside. Less rushed. Not bracing themselves. More able to meet themselves with steadiness and care—even while things are still unfolding.
This May Be a Good Fit If…
This work may be a good fit if:
You’re going through a transition and feel overwhelmed by it
You’re frustrated with yourself for struggling as much as you are
You tend to turn stress inward and blame yourself
You want therapy that feels thoughtful, relational, and non-judgmental
You’re open to slowing down rather than pushing through
A Gentle Note on Fit
This approach may not be the best match if you’re looking for:
Highly structured or directive therapy
Immediate solutions or directions about what to do next
An approach focused on pushing past discomfort as quickly as possible
My work centers pacing, understanding, and collaboration—because meaningful change during transition takes time and care.
You Don’t Have to Have This Figured Out
You don’t need to know where you’re headed or how to make sense of everything yet. We can start with exactly where you are—with the overwhelm, the self-doubt, and the parts of you that are trying so hard to cope.
If you’re curious, we can start with a conversation.
You’re welcome to reach out to schedule a consultation and see whether this feels like a supportive next step.
There’s no right way to move through change.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
A Little Note on Timing
If now isn’t the right moment, that’s okay too. You’re welcome to come back to this page whenever it feels more supportive.
There’s no right way to begin therapy. There’s just whatever is right for you.
And there’s no deadline for reaching out.
I offer convenient online therapy sessions to clients located in any of the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. (More PSYPACT states may be coming soon!)