Therapy for Life Transitions in Los Gatos and Across California
This chapter feels messy, uncertain, and nothing like you planned.
You barely recognize yourself–and no one really talks about that part.
When life shifts, even strong foundations can feel shaky.
You’re in a season of change. Maybe it’s something you chose – a new career, a big move, the end of a relationship. Or maybe it’s something that happened to you–something you didn’t plan for or feel ready to handle.
Either way, you’re doing your best to hold it together.
But lately, it’s getting harder to pretend everything’s fine.
You might be feeling disoriented, like your old sense of direction no longer applies. You grieve what used to be–even if you wanted the change. You’re anxious or unmotivated, unsure of what's next or who you’re becoming. You feel lonely, even when you’re surrounded by people. You’re being pressured (externally and/or internally) to “figure it out fast,” when nothing feels certain.
You’re still showing up, still achieving–but underneath the surface, you’re struggling. And part of you is wondering:
“Is it supposed to feel this heavy?”
Whether this season is exciting, heartbreaking, confusing–or all of the above–you deserve support that helps you find your footing again.
When one part of life shifts, everything else can feel off.
Even if the transition is just one area–your job, relationship, role, or identity–it doesn’t stay contained.
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At work or school:
You’re doing the motions — but focus and motivation are harder to come by
Imposter syndrome hits in places that once felt like home
You keep asking yourself: Am I still on the right path? Or did I outgrow this?
When training, competing, or performing:
Your routine doesn’t feel like it fits anymore — but changing it feels risky
Motivation is inconsistent, and you're worried you're falling behind
You’re showing up physically, but mentally you feel off — disconnected, out of rhythm, not quite “you”
In relationships:
You catch yourself pulling back or over-explaining, afraid people won’t get it
You feel misunderstood or distant, even from the people who care most
Asking for support feels hard — like you’re too much, or not enough, all at once
With yourself:
You’re questioning who you are without the structure, title, or role you used to count on
Your inner critic has the mic — louder, sharper, more relentless than usual
You miss the clarity, confidence, and groundedness you used to have in your choices
In your body:
You feel wired and sluggish at the same time — like your nervous system can’t pick a lane
Sleep is off, your appetite changes with your mood, and your energy’s unpredictable
It’s like your body knows you’re in transition… before your mind can fully catch up
When life feels uncertain on the outside, it can start to feel unstable on the inside, too.
You might start wondering: Who am I now? What comes next?
You can learn to move through this chapter with more clarity, confidence, and self-compassion
Feel like yourself again–even as life changes around you.
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Feel like yourself again–even as life changes around you. *
What life can feel like after this work:
Regain a sense of direction when everything feels up in the air
Navigate change without feeling like you’re losing yourself in the process
Adjust to new roles or identities with more confidence and self-trust
Make decisions with more clarity–even when there’s no clear “right” answer
Release guilt, fear, or grief tied to what you’ve left behind (or what left you behind)
Feel more like you again–even in the midst of uncertainty
Therapy that helps you move forward without losing yourself
You don’t need someone to hand you a checklist or tell you to “trust the process.” You need space to breathe, room to reflect, and support that actually meets you where you are.
Untangle the noise. We’ll gently sort through everything that’s coming up–grief, fear, relief, pressure–and help you make sense of it all without judging or rushing yourself.
Reconnect with your inner compass. Instead of looking outside yourself for the next step, we’ll tune into what you actually want and need in this chapter–and what matters most to you now.
Make space for all the parts of you. Transitions can activate old patterns or parts of you that feel scared, critical, or uncertain. Together, we’ll get to know those parts with compassion and curiosity and help you lead from a more grounded place.
Release what’s no longer yours to carry. If this shift is stirring up deeper wounds–like fear of failure, people-pleasing, or the pressure to always hold it together–we’ll work through those patterns so they don’t keep holding you back.
Build a new foundation. This isn’t about bouncing back–it’s about building something more aligned. One that’s based on self-trust, not performance. Clarity, not control. Growth, not perfection.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to find your way forward.
How ACT, EMDR, and/or IFS May Apply:
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When life flips upside down, your mind can spiral with worries and “what-ifs.” Instead of fighting those thoughts or pretending they’re not there, you’ll learn to notice them—and keep moving forward anyway. It’s like learning to surf the waves instead of getting wiped out.
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Sometimes, old fears or memories sneak in right when you’re trying to start fresh–and they weigh you down. This method helps gently unpack those stuck feelings so they don’t run the show. That way, you can face what’s next with a little more lightness and freedom.
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Transitions can feel like a tug-of-war inside–part of you is scared, another part wants to leap ahead, and they’re not always on the same page. Therapy helps you get curious about all those parts and bring them together so you can move forward as one, steady voice.
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Process what this transition is really bringing up-without judgment or pressure
Let go of the roles, beliefs, or expectations that no longer fit
Build a deeper connection with yourself–beyond who you’ve had to be
Trust your ability to navigate change, even when the path isn’t clear
Strengthen your boundaries and relationships as your identity evolves
Feel more grounded, steady, and at home in your next chapter
FAQ
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Yes. Life transitions don’t have to be dramatic or traumatic to deserve support. If you’re feeling off, overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain–therapy can help you make sense of what’s changing and how to move through it with clarity and self-trust.
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That’s actually a very common place to begin. You don’t need to have clear goals or language for what you’re feeling. Our work together will help you sort through the noise and get more connected to what feels true and aligned for you.
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Not exactly–but it will help you get quiet enough to hear your own inner guidance. I’m not here to give you a checklist. I’m here to help you reconnect with your own wisdom, so your next steps come from alignment–not pressure.
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Whether it’s aging out, getting injured, switching roles, or watching your athletic world can shake your entire sense of purpose. You’re used to structure and striving…so when the playbook suddenly changes, it’s easy to feel lost, ungrounded, or like you don’t know who you are without the game.
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Every new semester, degree, or career step brings a subtle identity crisis…success doesn’t always feel how you thought it would, and you’re left questioning what’s next. Life transitions in academia often come quietly but hit hard, challenging your sense of direction and stability beneath all your accomplishments.
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Whether it’s a new role, a move into management, or leaving the industry altogether, transitions trigger over-analysis and uncertainty about what’s “right.” You’re trained to problem-solve, but this kind of shift doesn’t come with clean logic or predictable outcomes…and that’s deeply unsettling.
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Pivoting, scaling, or stepping back from your business can feel like tearing apart a piece of your identity. Even positive transitions bring self-doubt, grief, and fear that you’re losing control of the very thing you built from the ground up.
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New titles, exits, company changes…no matter how seasoned you are, transitions stir up old fears of uncertainty, inadequacy and disconnection. You’re expected to lead through a change, even when internally you’re wrestling with what this shift means for who you are and what you’re worth.
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Roles change, projects end, relevance fluctuates…so transitions feel like identity whiplash. Whether you’re stepping into the spotlight or stepping away, you’re navigating invisible grief, pressure to rebrand, and the anxiety of what’s next in an industry that rarely pauses.
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Switching specialties, moving into leadership, or leaving the field can feel like a betrayal of everything you’ve worked for. Life transitions challenge not just your role but your calling…and it’s hard to reconcile change when your identity has been wrapped up in helping others.
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A promotion, a new firm, or even questioning of this path still fits the trigger deep unease…especially when your identity is rooted in performance and prestige. Transitions here aren’t just about logistics, they’re about reevaluating worth in a world that values certainty.
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Leaving a firm, shifting practice areas, or stepping away from the field entirely can feel disorienting…like stepping out of a persona you’ve worn for years. Life transitions in law are often wrapped in guilt and self-judgment, especially when you’re used to being the one with all the answers.
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Transitions—kids growing up, roles shifting, caregiving intensifying or ending—can leave you unsure of where you fit when you’re no longer needed in the same way. When so much of your identity has been built around showing up for others, it’s hard to know who you are in the in-between.