Life is full of change. Some changes we desire and choose, others are unwanted, overwhelming or even devastating.  Having a new baby, getting married or starting a new job are all major life changes that are usually seen as positive. ​ he truth is that even happy and exciting changes in life can be overwhelming,  can throw us off balance or result in questioning who we are.  Events like the death of a loved one, divorce or the end of a relationship, serious illness or the loss of a job are not changes that we hope for in life and can be extremely difficult to cope with.   
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Our responses to changes are as unique as we are and can depend on so many factors. Responses to life changes can be joy or relief or they can be depression, anxiety, confusion, anger, fear, feeling overwhelmed or the feeling of being in  crisis. Even the natural process of aging can be difficult for some people to cope with.  This is especially the case for people entering midlife. Questions of self worth, identity and the reality of our own mortality begin to come up.
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​When life changes or life transitions happen it is important to  be gentle with ourselves and allow time to adjust. Sometimes the changes can be so abrupt, devastating or disruptive that we may need to seek out support or treatment.  Leaving serious reactions to change unaddressed can be dangerous, as they may not resolve without some sort of treatment.   An example of this is if someone has the symptoms of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) they have experienced a traumatic event such as natural disaster, life threatening event or witnessing something scary or disturbing. Symptoms can include anxiety, anger, depression, isolation, even suicidality, drug or alcohol abuse, nightmares, insomnia and more.  PTSD does not resolve on its own but can be successfully treated with therapy.

Getting a divorce or ending a relationship can be extremely difficult and is another example of change in life that can be so hard to cope with in the absence of support.  Graduating from college is a transition for some people that can be overwhelming and confusing. Questions start  like "what is my purpose" or "what do I do know" or " who am  now that I am an adult" start to bubble up as young adults move away from friends and the safety bubble of college life and are expected to get jobs and live independently. ​

No matter the type of change, if you are feeling lost or overwhelmed by it, getting support is an important step toward feeling better.  Finding  a therapist that you easily connect with will allow you to find peace and energy and to feel proud of who you are.  

Hi  again. Today I posted a new recording in the quick tips section of my website. It is only about 6 minutes but it is one of my favorites to practice. I finding it deeply relaxing and centering. I hope you have the chance to check it out and let me know what you think of it.   In working with people experiencing high levels of anxiety   it becomes so clear that not all anxiety is the same, just as not all people are the same. That is why I am so happy to be finding new relaxation and grounding exercises all the time. I am even more excited to share them and see the change they can bring to people who are struggling.  Sometimes anxiety or stress are temporary and for some it seems like they become a way of life. The good news is that it doesn't have to be that way. There are things you can do to get control of stress and anxiety.  I hope this is a useful tool for some of you. You can link to the guided meditation here    relax_white_light__1_.wav

I am very excited to be expanding my practice  in order to provide Therapeutic and Counseling Services to more of San Diego County. I will be sharing a space in Scripps Ranch. It is  an easily accessible  location with views of a Eucalyptus grove and Horse Ranch.   This is  an exciting and rewarding  chance to grow.