Life Transitions Therapy for Children & Teens
Guiding Your Child Through Life's Changes with Confidence
From starting a new school to family relocations, parental divorce to puberty, children and teens face numerous transitions that can feel overwhelming without proper support. As both a therapist and mother of three San Francisco teenagers, I understand how deeply transitions can impact young people and how crucial it is to develop healthy ways to navigate change.
Life transitions therapy provides children and teens with a safe space to process their feelings about changes, develop practical coping skills for adaptation, and build resilience that will serve them through future life shifts. Whether your child is struggling with a current transition or preparing for an upcoming change, specialized therapeutic support can transform potentially disruptive experiences into opportunities for growth and emotional development.
Ready to help your child navigate life changes with confidence? Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can work together to build resilience during this important time.
Common Transitions for Children & Teens
Young people face numerous transitions that can trigger stress responses:
Family changes: Divorce, remarriage, new siblings, grief and loss
Educational transitions: Starting school, changing schools, advancing to middle or high school
Developmental shifts: Puberty, increasing independence, identity formation
Relocation changes: Moving homes, neighborhoods, cities, or countries
Health transitions: Diagnosis of chronic illness, recovery from illness or injury
Social changes: Friendship shifts, peer group changes, dating relationships
Technology transitions: New digital responsibilities and challenges
These transitions often trigger emotions like anxiety, sadness, excitement, uncertainty, and resistance, and may lead to behavioral changes, sleep disturbances, or academic difficulties as children adjust.
My Approach to Life Transitions Therapy
My therapeutic approach for children and teens experiencing transitions combines several evidence-based methods:
Narrative approaches: Creating meaningful stories about changes that emphasize strength and continuity
Cognitive skills: Developing flexible thinking and positive reframing of challenges
Emotional processing: Providing safe outlets for expressing complex feelings about transitions
Practical preparation: Creating concrete plans and routines for managing new situations
Family systems work: Supporting parents in facilitating healthy family adjustment
Identity work: Maintaining a sense of self amid changing circumstances
As both a therapist and mother, I bring professional expertise and nurturing support to our work together. I understand the unique challenges San Francisco families face during transitions, including housing changes in our expensive city, navigating competitive school environments, and maintaining connections despite busy urban schedules.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Transitions Therapy
Consider reaching out if your child:
Shows significant anxiety or distress about an upcoming or recent change
Demonstrates regression to earlier developmental behaviors
Expresses persistent negativity about a new situation
Shows changes in sleep, appetite, or mood during a transition
Has difficulty letting go of past routines or situations
Experiences academic decline during a life change
Seems overwhelmed by the emotions associated with transitions
Has a history of difficult adjustments to change
Supporting Parents Through Family Transitions
Parents play a crucial role in helping children navigate transitions. Through our work together, I'll help you:
Prepare your child appropriately for upcoming changes
Create stability and consistency amid changing circumstances
Recognize and respond to your child's transition-related stress signals
Process your own feelings about family changes
Balance honoring feelings with encouraging adaptation
For parents seeking additional guidance, I also offer specialized parent coaching sessions focused on supporting children through significant life transitions.
Begin Your Child's Journey to Resilience
While transitions can be challenging, they also offer powerful opportunities for growth, learning, and the development of lifelong coping skills. As both a therapist and mother of three teenagers here in San Francisco, I bring professional knowledge and compassionate understanding to our therapeutic relationship.
Contact me today for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can work together to help your child navigate life's transitions with confidence and emotional well-being.
