When you got together, you probably thought it would be for life. Dreams of a happily ever after, a home, perhaps raising children and growing old together are gone. If children are a part of the picture, how is this impacting them? Will they be okay? What is the future going to look like? If your relationship ended suddenly, anger, depression, stress and feelings of loss can be overwhelming. Whether this was anticipated or not, if you’re leaving the relationship by your own choice, you may feel both a sense of hope but still have a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety about the future. Or perhaps you didn't want the relationship to end, but you are experiencing overwelming feelings of dispair, grief, lonliness and shame.
Difficulties With Stress
Moving to a new area, changing jobs, coping with an unexpected illness or developing a disability are often very difficult life transitions. Most of the time you don’t even realize the early impact of stress because it increases gradually – until unexpectedly you begin to lose your temper a lot, can’t sleep or just feel overwhelmed and depressed. Perhaps what you’ve done in the past to manage stress no longer seem to help and you are not sure where to turn or what to do.
A job represents not only financial security, stability, it has likely become a big part of your identity. You have given your time, talent and your life to the company. Perhaps you feel the company took not only your job, but also your security, future, social network and even your identity. You might feel stuck, unsure of where to turn next.
My counseling approach varies depending on how the changes are affecting you and your individual needs. Sometimes knowing what to expect and having a map for the journey ahead is helpful. Very often, my assessment reveals a need to replenish your resources. I can help you strengthen those. We may build a plan for better self care. I may redirect and challenge your negative thoughts and perceptions that are perhaps standing in your way of feeling and functioning better. I can also encourage you to replace ineffective coping strategies with ones that are healthy and productive.
When you don’t know what to do next, you feel like you have lost your way or feel yourself getting more angry, frustrated, depressed, anxious or hopeless, I will compassionately travel this journey with you. You can learn better ways to manage stress, gain a more positive outlook on your situation and handle depression with greater ease. Ultimately you can recover the energy and emotional resilience necessary to move through divorce, job loss and other difficult life transitions. Please contact me to ask any questions you may have.