Adjustment and Major Life Changes

What Are Major Life Transitions?

Major life transitions refer to significant changes that alter daily life, roles, or future direction. These may include:

  • Starting or finishing university

  • Career changes

  • Relocation

  • Relationship changes (beginning or ending)

  • Marriage or separation

  • Becoming a parent

  • Health diagnoses

  • Sports injury, team changes or retirement

Even anticipated or positive changes can create unexpected emotional responses.

Common Emotional Experiences

During life transitions, people may experience:

  • Increased anxiety or uncertainty

  • Low mood or loss of motivation

  • Self-doubt

  • Identity confusion

  • Irritability or overwhelm

  • Sleep difficulties

  • Feeling “stuck” or directionless

Transitions can also activate earlier experiences of change, loss, or instability, intensifying emotional responses.

What Therapy can Address

Treatment may focus on:

  • Clarifying values and goals

  • Strengthening coping strategies

  • Managing uncertainty and worry

  • Building confidence in decision-making

  • Processing loss

  • Developing resilience

  • Creating structure during periods of instability

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