Life Change Counselling

We provide expert life change counselling in a safe and supportive environment for people who have experienced major life changes and are having trouble coping.

At some point we all experience a major change in our life, a devastating loss, or a traumatic event.

While these experiences can be very difficult and distressing often the stressful change in your life goes away and the distress eases.

In other cases we just manage to cope with the situation, bounce back within a reasonable period of time and are able to get on with life.

Sometimes, however, the level of distress we feel is more intense or much longer than would normally be expected, and the symptoms interfere with our normal functioning.

Some people find that, just when they feel they are getting back on track, a new stressful situation arises, and they face emotional struggles all over again.

Common life changes that cause distress

Difficulties adjusting commonly arise from things like:

  • marital / relationship problems including breakups and divorce
  • the death of a loved one
  • family conflict
  • developing a serious illness (by yourself or a loved one)
  • unexpected catastrophes
  • losing or changing job
  • school changes
  • getting married, having a baby, retiring from a job or moving home
  • being a victim of a crime
  • having an accident
  • living through a disaster, such as a fire, flood, or cyclone

Common symptoms when you’re not coping well

Like many people having difficulty coping in these situations you may experience:

  • Low mood or sadness
  • Worry or anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Poor Concentration
  • Loss of self esteem
  • hopelessness, feeling trapped, having no good options, and
  • feeling isolated from others
  • Children and adolescents often exhibit depressed and irritable mood, sleep disturbance, poor performance in school, school avoidance, fighting, or acting out.

If you think you might benefit from the expert help of a psychologist call us on Brisbane (07) 3352 3577 or fill out our Request a Booking form 

Treatment can be tailored according your individual needs to help you:

  • Better understand how the stressor(s) affect you
  • Develop strategies for building your resilience so you are better able to respond to stress, adversity, trauma or tragedy

When to get life change counselling

If you’re struggling to deal with a major life change, loss, or event, have tried to work your way through but are still having a hard time coping, consider getting professional help.

Get life change counselling to help you get through

You don’t have to tough it out on your own. A psychologist can help you regain your emotional footing, cope better with stressful events and feel better about life again.

If you think you might benefit from the expert help of a psychologist, please call us on Brisbane (07) 3352 3577 or fill out our Request a Booking form

Sources

Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. (5th ed.). (2013). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.

Holmes, T., & Rahe, R. (1967). The social readjustment rating scale. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 11(2), 213-221.

Please Note – Ahead Psychology does not provide emergency crisis counselling. If you or someone you know needs crisis counselling, call Lifeline’s 24 hour telephone crisis support service 13 11 14. If you are facing a medical emergency from self-harm call an ambulance (000) or go to the emergency department of your local hospital.