Online Counselling for Life Transitions and Vocational Change in British Columbia
When we are already feeling like we are at maximum capacity, trying our best to move through major life transitions, the last thing we might want is to try to figure out how to fit another appointment or commitment into our schedule. This is when online therapy can be so valuable.
Our clinicians can meet you where you’re at through the benefits of technology allowing you to access support without adding more stress to your life. Having space to process, decompress, feel all of your emotions, and gain genuine support and encouragement can help you feel less alone as you move through whatever season of change you are currently experiencing.
Why Are Life Transitions and Vocational Changes a Big Deal?
Job loss and career changes, or major life transitions like big moves or break-ups are some of our major causes of stress. Our goals can be interrupted, and often with these types of stressors, our identity or perception of ourselves is also challenged. This can feel incredibly overwhelming and discombobulating, causing a context where we feel lost and stuck.
When we are feeling the impact of this stress, it can be hard to navigate through the fog and make clear-headed decisions needed to move through the change. Even if the change we are making is planned, there can still be a whirlwind of emotions connected to it that may not be expected, including grief.
Types of Life Transitions or Vocational Change
TThere are many life transitions that are considered a major stressor including:
Marriage
Divorce
Birth of a child
Loss of a loved one
Relocation
Career Change
Job Loss
Diagnosis of Illness
Financial Stresses or Changes like a Home Purchase
Completion of a large long term goal like a degree
Loss of a Business
We all respond to stress differently, and are impacted in different ways depending on how regulated or dysregulated our nervous system was heading into the change. We all also exist in different contexts with different supports. Any major change in your life can be considered a stressor. If you are curious about whether or not what you’re experiencing might be related to this, reflect on the last year, and what has changed.
The Life Changes Stress Test can help you identify how you have been affected.
Impact of Major Transitions on Our Body
We know that major stressors take a toll on our body. Folks can experience the following symptoms:
Headaches
Fatigue
Insomnia
Lack of Concentration or Brain Fog
Stomach and Digestive Issues
Irritability
High blood pressure
Ulcers
Weight gain or loss
Fertility Issues
Skin Problems
Over time the impact can build up, leading to depression or even chronic illness. Existing health concerns can also be exacerbated by the impact of these large life stressors.
If you are navigating the shock of an unexpected transition or are feeling overwhelmed by emotions, having a designated space and time to process what you’re experiencing is importance. It can create a context for you to move through the transition without having to experience the damaging impacts of long term stressors.
You may also be experiencing anxiety, fear, grief, or a variety of other emotions. Or, you might be feeling stuck or helpless, and need support in building up your confidence and capacity. All of these things can be addressed in therapy.
Schedule a Consultation with Our Counsellors in BC Today
Reasons to Try Online Counselling for Life Transitions and Vocational Change
Space to process, the creation of stability and naming and recognizing the impact of the changes you’ve experienced are all important parts of recovering. We need to make sense of our experience and create meaning and understanding to move forward. This can be challenging to do in isolation, and is the reason therapy can be a valuable part of your recovery.
It can be invaluable to have someone in your life to process the emotions you’re experiencing with that is outside of what you’re currently experiencing. Oftentimes our close family and friends can also be impacted by the same transition that is currently affecting us, meaning the places where we might typically go for support could also be less available.
Our Approach at The Commons
If you are either anticipating a major life transition or have recently experienced one, please reach out. We would be honoured to support you as you navigate through this. All of our clinicians came to the job of counselling from other careers, and have personally navigated a wide variety of life transitions. We understand first hand how discombobulating this can feel. If you’re feeling the impacts of the stress of change, you don’t need to navigate this alone.