Adjusting to Change
What are the common symptoms?
Change is an inevitable part of life. Change can be gradual or sudden, and while it often brings uncertainty, it also offers opportunities for growth.
It can arise from career transitions, personal milestones, or unexpected events.
Common symptoms associated with the difficulties of adjusting to change are outlined below:
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness
- Frequent crying or emotional outbursts
- Anxiety, nervousness, or constant worry
- Irritability or feeling overwhelmed
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia or poor sleep)
- Loss of appetite or overeating
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Social withdrawal or avoidance of responsibilities
Why do I feel like this?
Adjusting to change can feel overwhelming because it disrupts our sense of stability and predictability. Humans naturally seek comfort in routines, so when circumstances shift, it triggers uncertainty and stress. Understanding why you feel this way is the first step towards managing it effectively.
Reasons as to why you may struggle to adjust to change are explained below:
Fear of the Unknown
Change introduces uncertainty, which can make you anxious about outcomes. When you do not know what to expect, your mind fills gaps with worst-case scenarios.
Loss of Control
Adjusting to change often feels like losing control over your environment or decisions. Humans value autonomy, so sudden shifts can trigger frustration.
Emotional Attachment to Routine
Routines provide comfort and predictability, so breaking them can feel like losing a safety net. This emotional attachment makes change harder.
Cognitive Overload
Change demands mental energy to learn new processes or adapt behaviours. This cognitive load can cause fatigue and stress
How does therapy help?
Therapy provides a supportive environment to explore emotions, develop coping strategies, and build resilience during these periods. By working with a therapist, individuals gain clarity, reduce stress, and learn practical tools to manage uncertainty. Below are some reasons as to how engaging in therapy can navigate you towards tolerating life changes:
Emotional Support
Therapy offers a safe space to express feelings, reducing isolation and anxiety. This emotional validation helps individuals feel understood and supported during uncertain times.
Stress Management
Therapists teach relaxation techniques and coping strategies to manage stress effectively, preventing burnout and promoting mental clarity when facing significant life changes.
Building Resilience
Therapy strengthens resilience by fostering adaptability and confidence, enabling individuals to recover quickly from setbacks and thrive in new environments.
Improved Self-Awareness
Through guided reflection, therapy enhances self-awareness, helping individuals recognise patterns, triggers, and strengths that influence their response to change.
Problem-Solving Skills
Therapists assist in developing practical problem-solving skills, empowering individuals to tackle challenges proactively and make informed decisions during transitions.
Positive Mindset
Therapy encourages optimism and reframing negative thoughts, promoting a constructive outlook that makes adjusting to change less overwhelming and more manageable.
What are the therapy options that Transformations Clinical Psychology can offer me?
Please contact us or follow this link if you would like to set up an assessment with a Psychologist at Transformations Clinical Psychology.
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FAQ
Q1. What happens in the first session? Do I need to prepare?
Your first appointment is 50–60 minutes. We’ll get to know you—what’s been hard, what you’d like to change, and what’s helped before. You’re welcome to bring notes or just come as you are; we’ll go at your pace. Please complete the online intake and consent forms beforehand. Sessions are available in person (Sydney) or via secure telehealth across Australia. We’ll finish with a clear plan and time for your questions. If you’re in immediate danger, call 000.
Q2. How do fees and Medicare/private insurance work? Do I need a GP referral?
You can book without a referral. If your GP provides a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. We’ll check your eligibility and confirm your out-of-pocket cost before you commit. Private health (Extras) can’t be claimed with Medicare for the same session—please check your fund for coverage. If cost is a concern, let us know and we’ll talk through options.
Q3. Will my information be kept confidential?
Yes. Your sessions and records are kept private under strict legal and ethical standards. There are a few exceptions—if there’s a serious risk of harm, concerns about a child or vulnerable person, or a court order. If we ever need to share information, we’ll explain why, what will be shared, and involve you as much as possible.