Counseling Through Life Transitions
Let’s face it, life is tough. There’s no getting around that. But have you ever noticed how you seem to handle some of life’s challenges with clarity, strength, and resilience while other’s seem to derail you, making you feel like either a stressed out crazy person or a numbed out just get-through-it zombie?
COUNSELING CAN HELP!
With my unique combination of counseling, therapy, and life coaching I can help you traverse a big life change with whole lot less fear, insecurity, anxiety, or angst, and a lot more confidence, clarity, peace, and trust! We'll work together to process your emotions so they don't cloud your judgment or steal your peace, and I'll help you find and stay connected to your own wisdom so you can make the right decisions for you and those you love. 
COMMON LIFE TRANSITIONS THAT COUNSELING CAN HELP WITH
COUNSELING PRE/POST DIVORCE
Nobody ever plans on getting a divorce so this can be a pretty tough pill to swallow when it happens. Dreams can be dashed, feelings of love and connection can go out the window and people can get swept up into intense feelings of hurt, anger, guilt, shame, and confusion. Add to the picture things like infidelity, substance abuse, and custody decisions, and you've got the perfect storm. Sadly, many people get caught up in it all and end up saying and doing things they later deeply regret. Counseling gives you a safe, non-judgmental space to work through it all. It's truly possible to traverse this challenge with clarity, calm, wisdom, compassion, and peace. I'll support you in being the kind of person you want to be during this time of upheaval, so that you can come out the other side with your integrity in tact, as well as your sanity, and heart. Divorce doesn't have to make you resentful, jaded, guilt-ridden, or walled off. I'll walk alongside you and help show you the way through to the light on the other side. I've done it myself and I know how to help you too!
COUNSELING FOR NEW PARENTS
Becoming a parent is an amazing experience. But it can also bring with it a host of new emotions and drum up all kinds of fears you didn't even know you had. There can also be a lot of stress from all the new responsibilities, to-do's, and roles that you take on. Money stuff, sleepless nights, juggling work and home life...there is a lot of change. Counseling can help you with everything from postpartum depression (even if it's not clinical), to navigating new relationship dynamics and developing the skills needed to be a the best parent you can be. Sorting through these things will free you up more so you can enjoy being a parent, rather than live in survival mode.
COUNSELING FOR STEP-PARENTS
Becoming a step-parent is an experience like no other. One minute you don't have a kid and the next minute you do. You might feel the pressure of trying to "bond" with a teenager or the challenge of raising younger children that require a lot of physical and emotional attention. You and your partner have different ideas about parenting and since you're not the child's biological parent it can be confusing to you what you're role is and how to build an emotional connection while also being an adult figure for your step kid. Your partner may want you to take on a more active role or lean the other way and want you to leave the parenting to them, and you might or might not agree with that. There might be difficult ex's in the mix, challenging reactions from the kids, and just a host of other possible challenges that you either didn't see coming or didn't realize would be so hard for you. All of these various dynamics can make for a very bumpy ride. As both a highly trained counselor and coach as well as a step-parent to 5 children myself (they were ages 12-27 years old when I became their step-mom 17 years ago), I have both the professional expertise and personal experience to confidently help you navigate this terrain effectively so that you can find a healthy balance and be able to enjoy this new role rather than feel stressed out or overwhelmed by it. 
COUNSELING FOR WOMEN TRANSITIONING FROM STAY-AT HOME MOM TO WORKING MOM OR VICE VERSA
If you're a stay at home mom returning to work or a working mom that's decided to be home either full time or part time I've got you covered. I know first hand the challenges of both sides and what an adjustment it can be to go from one to the other. Many times this transition can leave women with all sorts of feelings ranging from guilt (caused by harsh judgments from self or others), to boredom, and feeling unfulfilled. All of these feelings are normal but if left unresolved can and will leak out in all sorts of ways in how you show up both at home and work. I can help you find your way to clarity and peace so that you can be a present loving mom for your kids while also being engaged fully in your personal and/or professional life. It doesn't have to be either or.