Life Transition Therapy Q&A

Life transition in therapy is as broad a category as its name suggests. It involves an individual working with a therapist to accomplish any manner of life transition.

For some individuals, this can involve consulting a therapist for assistance in navigating a planned significant life event such as a move, a career change, or a childbirth. Even positive life events can involve periods of monumental upheaval that can be difficult for an individual to navigate on their own.

Other times, life transition in therapy can be used to help patients navigate difficult events in life such as the breakdown of a relationship or the death of a loved one. Sometimes life transitions may involve trying to change certain or eliminate habits such as quitting smoking. Regardless of the type of change, life transition therapy can provide individuals with a highly effective support method.

The specific goals of life transition therapy will vary depending on the type of life transition the patient is undergoing. Generally, however, the goal of life transition therapy is to help patients cope with a period of change in their lives.

Coping with a period of change can look different for different patients as well, it typically involves helping them navigate the emotional and mental stressors associated with change and giving them the skills they need to adapt to and accept their new circumstances.

Life transition therapy can take many forms, sometimes incorporating talk or behavioral therapy, self-care practices, mindfulness techniques, meditation, and more. Whatever your life transition, the specialists at Gold Counseling will work with patients to tailor treatment to their specific needs.

Life transition presents in 6 distinct stages although every individual’s journey is unique and not everyone will necessarily experience all of these stages. However, by following these steps individuals can navigate life transitions and their associated stressors as smoothly as possible.

The first stage is pre-contemplation, during this period an individual has not yet seriously contemplated change. The second stage involves procrastination on the client’s end as they begin contemplating making a change.

During this stage, the individual seriously contemplates making a change within the next 6 months. The third stage is preparation, and by this point, the client is committed to the change they were contemplating. The goal of this stage is for the individual to develop an actionable plan with clear steps to work toward the life transition. The fourth stage is when the steps to achieve the life transition are put into action. The fifth stage is maintenance, at this point the client maintains the steps they put into action and the life transition begins to take place. By the sixth step, the life transition has taken place and the individual is no longer tempted to return to the starting point.

Any form of change can be hard and stressful, when it comes to significant life transitions these sensations can be amplified. Life transitions can be the result of something tragic or unexpected, but they can also be something planned that an individual is looking forward to.

However, various emotions can accompany positive or negative transitions including anxiety, stress, sadness, confusion, and more. Given the competing and complex emotions often associated with significant change many individuals can benefit from help from a counselor to adjust.

By preparing for their life transition and taking actionable steps toward their goals individuals can navigate life’s big changes and the many stressors associated with them.

Life transition therapy is available at Gold Counseling. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Riverdale UT, Washington Terrace UT, Clinton UT, Kaysville UT, Clearfield UT, Farmington UT, Draper UT, Riverton UT, Sandy UT, St. George UT, Bloomington UT, Santa Clara UT, and surrounding areas.