Life Counseling

Are You Dealing With A Difficult Decision Or Life Transition?

Have you recently lost your job or run into financial issues that make you anxious and uncertain about what to do next? Are you recovering from infidelity or searching for life after divorce and want help finding your own unique direction? Perhaps you have suffered the loss of a loved one and are questioning your identity and purpose in the world moving forward. Or maybe an accident or medical condition has changed the way you live, and you want help navigating the new reality.

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Whether you are a couple having a baby, parents dealing with an empty nest, or a professional making a career transition, it can naturally be hard to adjust. The same is true if you have experienced any loss or life-altering event. You may be wondering, Who am I? What is my purpose? What do I do now? That’s because anytime a person experiences change—especially if it affects a marker for their identity—there is a major shift in how they perceive themselves. That shift can cause a lot of fear, sadness, uncertainty, and a range of other intense emotions. But every phase of life involves redefining who we are. Sometimes, we could just use a little help doing that.

Fortunately, under the care of a compassionate and experienced life counselor, you can gain the clarity to understand who you are and what you need to be happy. Whether you are seeking a sense of wholeness and purpose or you want help finding a tangible, practical way of achieving your goals, we can help you get there.  

Change Is A Natural But Destabilizing Experience

Life is in a constant state of perpetual change—whether good or difficult, big or small, sudden or slow. We all experience change; and most of us encounter at least some form of resistance or grief when we do. Sometimes, we are able to transition into a new phase of life gracefully. But occasionally, we get stuck, unable to make decisions, or even see a way forward—especially when the change is significant.

Unfortunately, some individuals lack the natural support system of family and friends to offer guidance and help them through difficult times. Others fall victim to societal messages that tell them they should be self-sufficient and capable of managing change without help. And some people think that unless they are dealing with a diagnosable disorder, like anxiety or depression, counseling isn’t really necessary. 

At Alpenglow, we understand that it can feel bad to admit that you don’t know how to navigate changes in your life or what you need to do to make progress on your own. It can even feel like a personal flaw. But redefining yourself is a process that takes time and thoughtful reflection.

With our help, you can step back and gain an objective perspective of what’s going on in your life, what your options are, and what you want for yourself so you can act upon it. Together, we’ll set a North Star for you that will help guide you to a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Counseling Empowers You To Be The Architect Of Your Life

One of the biggest reasons why you may feel stuck is because crisis and change naturally rob people of the objectivity needed to find a way forward on their own. However, a therapist can act as an impartial observer, offering you both compassionate support and a clear perspective. What you are experiencing is not a character flaw or weakness; it’s a process of change in stages, and a therapist can outline those distinct steps for you. Together, we can develop solutions to personal challenges while reminding you of your inherent strengths, skills, and qualities that will serve you in times of uncertainty. 

Whether working online or in-person, we’ll always meet you with compassion and respect. Part of our sessions will concentrate on self-reflection and contemplation that will help us get to the core of what is holding you back. Many people don’t understand just how much of an unconscious impact exiting an influential role can have on their sense of self. 

For that reason, our main focus will be processing the changes in your life while resolving behaviors, thoughts, or activities that are keeping you from seeing a path forward. That may mean redrawing your personal boundaries, developing a conscious awareness of your new state, or exploring any parts of your past identity that served you well (as well as those that did not). Our job is to provide a level of support and reflection that enhances your ability to meet your own psychological needs and feel like you know who you are and where you are going once more.  

At Alpenglow, we offer a person-centered, solution-based approach to reestablishing control in your life. We can help you find purpose in your new situation or role and show you how to set routines that will keep you motivated and engaged. And you will learn to better understand the stages of change, how to move through them, and how to apply practical day-to-day skills that will help you transition smoothly into the next phase of your life. 

We’ll also work on identifying internal resources, assessing strengths, and developing healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with uncertainty and change—all while tracking your progress along the way. And if you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, we also offer grief counseling services for deeper emotional healing. 

We’ve been helping clients improve their lives, complete their sense of wholeness, and forge a path forward since 2006. By working with us, you can gain a better understanding of what makes you feel valued and filled with purpose so you can pursue life on your own terms. In time, you can learn to use your internal resources to confidently and mindfully enter the next stage of your life prepared and ready for anything. 

Perhaps you are considering life counseling but still have some concerns…

I am embarrassed for not being able to do this on my own.

Asking for help is not a character flaw; it’s just life. You are not broken; you are merely going through a complicated process that many people experience. Finding your way through difficult times is a normal process and having someone to help you along the way is too. We, as humans, are communal creatures who need social interaction to survive and flourish. Whether you expect yourself to be a strong, self-sufficient man or an impervious superwoman, there’s no shame or judgment in seeking help. That’s what we are here for. 

Do I really need professional counseling?

People often regard therapy as a resource for overcoming mental health issues. But change can be destabilizing to the point that it can obscure your ability to think clearly, make decisions, or move forward. Like life coaching, counseling can help you find practical solutions to everyday problems. But working with a therapist has the added benefit of offering a deeper level of healing if any mental health concerns or underlying issues do come up in sessions.  

How do I know this is right for me? And will it take long?

Because the therapeutic relationship is crucial to the healing process, I offer all my clients a free, 30 to 45-minute in-person or online intake session so we can get acquainted with each other. That way we can talk about what initially brings you to therapy and determine if we are a good fit for working together. Because life transitions counseling is about fixing problems and finding solutions, the overall duration is frequently shorter than traditional therapy. However, if you want to work on deeper, more complex issues—such as anxiety, depression, or grief—counseling can help with that as well.  

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Let Us Help You Take Control Of Your Life 

If you’re looking for a Philadelphia area therapist to help you move forward with your life in confidence, please call 267 547-3596 for your free, 30-minute phone consultation. Or you can click here to schedule your complimentary, in-person or online therapy intake session to see how Alpenglow can help you find greater fulfillment in your life and your sense of self.

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