Life Transitions Motivational Interviewing

Life Transitions

Life transitions can be rewarding, but that doesn't mean they are necessarily easy. Change usually comes with mixed emotions, challenges and stress. It's natural to feel anxious, confused, unsettled and fatigued, no matter how you have looked forward to a change. While promotions at work can be positive and exciting, there are also negative transitions that could make you feel hopeless and negative, anxious and unable to see the solutions to the inevitable problems you face.


Some of the common transitions that people face include moving house, divorce, remarriage, empty nest syndrome, concerns about aging, adjusting to a new job, illness, or death of a loved one.

During periods of transitions, it's common for emotions from some of your past experiences to be triggered, which can make the current situation feel so much worse. That's when confusion takes over, leaving you feeling out of control and confused.

Transition counselling can help you deal with your life changes and the emotions that you are feeling in a safe and effective manner. You will be able to find the root causes of your reactions and you will be able to face the changes head on. You may even be able to push past your self-imposed limits to broaden your horizons and find a strong, new you.

You will gain clarity and understanding, as well as self-confidence to help you feel more grounded and you will develop a sense of purpose in your life. Transition therapy  has helped hundreds of thousands of people to come to terms with difficult issues in life and you can too.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who addresses transitions, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Motivational Interviewing, Emotion Focused Therapy

Motivational Interviewing is a short term treatment approach, which is specifically aimed at strengthening the client's commitment for, and motivation to change. This approach is widely recognized and is used in a number of applications, including substance abuse, rehabilitation, social work, criminal justice, schools, coaching and in health promotion.

During a Motivational Interviewing session, the therapist will make sure that the client feels understood and supported. The therapist will also assure the client that his or her emotions are normal and expected, in anticipation of the great changes ahead. The key to Motivational Interviewing is to juxtapose the client's goals and behaviours that may stand in the way of success. Motivational Interviewing  can help a client recognize behavioural issues that are not conducive to success.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Motivational Interviewing, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note:  Some practitioners practice Emotionally Focused Therapy rather than Emotional Focused therapy.  You will want to confirm that it is indeed Emotion Focused Therapy that the counsellor/psychologist practices.  

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Bob Bircher

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Bob is a very experienced counsellor and has spent his working life helping people solve problems, make good decisions, set necessary boundaries, and improve communication. His counselling philosophy is very practical,... Read more

Wendy Li

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I work with adults who may seem fine on the outside, but are struggling in some way on the inside. Your struggles may be with stress or anxiety, low mood or motivation, lack of satisfaction and interest in what you... Read more

Dawna Silver

M.A., RCC
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read my profile. If you are like many people who seek therapy, you are struggling. Maybe you are in a time of crisis in your life. Something has happened out of the blue that... Read more

Kathryn McInroy

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Kathryn believes that counselling is a collaborative process between the client(s) and their counsellor, and treats the relationship as a partnership. She uses a strengths-based and solution-focused approach to help her... Read more

Bonny Yung

M.C., RCC
Are you in a season of struggle and looking for clarity and support to help you move through difficulty? Perhaps you have reached your tipping point, feel isolated and alone, unsure of yourself, struggle with self-... Read more

Amy Rappaport

M.S.W., RCC
Welcome! I work with people experiencing a variety of life transitions and life struggles.  A stressful life event, life change, or a recent loss can make it feel like your bottom has fallen out from under... Read more

Ronald Ma

Psy.D., R.Psych
    • Online booking
There are many different reasons people might seek counselling. You may be looking for support for something specific or you might feel something’s just been off and want help figuring it out. In either case, it... Read more

Jas Lachar

M.S.W., RSW
Sometimes our mental well-being suffers because we have had a major life transition such as starting or finishing university, becoming a new parent, taking a new position at work, moving or Covid-19. Transitions are... Read more

Jessica Condon

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
My clients often come to me feeling like the weight of the world is on their shoulders and that every decision they make creates a ripple that negatively touches on those around them. Their thoughts are overwhelmingly... Read more

Lisa Bylsma

M.Ed., RCC
Currently accepting new clients. Available for in-person sessions in Nanaimo or virtual sessions anywhere in BC. After over 12 years working as a counsellor within government and non-profit organizations, I have... Read more

Elise Durante

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
  Hi there! My name is Elise, and I am taking on new clients for virtual/online counselling. With two decades of counselling experience, I’m committed to delivering compassionate and impactful... Read more

Kathryn Pybus

MCP:AT, RCC
    • Online booking
A Registered Clinical Counsellor (#14856) and Professional Canadian Art Therapist, I bring expertise, passion, and skill to my practice with clients of diverse cultures and experiences. I practice from a place of... Read more

Stephanie Gillingham

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
Stephanie (she/her) is a Registered Social Worker who lives and works as an uninvited guest on the stolen territory of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) people. Stephanie... Read more

Monique Silverman

M.A., RCC
  My Approach My work is primarily relational, experiential and emotion-focused. This approach is called Accelerated Experiential Psychodynamic Therapy (AEDP) and seamlessly encourages you to engage with your... Read more

Jess Holtslander

M.S.W., RCC
    • Online booking
We are all human and, as humans, we all experience loss and change. With any loss or life change comes conflicting emotions. Grief, or conflicting emotions, can result from losing a loved one, losing a pet, changing... Read more

Avneer Dhillon

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I believe we are constantly changing, and each of us are capable of directing that change toward becoming the person we want to be. How we arrive there, of course, is the difficult part. i’m here to walk alongside... Read more

Andee Dale

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am accepting new referrals for both in person counselling (office located in Duncan, BC) or virtual counselling.  I've been a counsellor for over 15 years and have worked in a number of counselling... Read more

Michelle McLean

M.Ed., CCC
    • Online booking
Many of us experience frustrated needs, overwhelming responsibilities, being overlooked in love or work, losing something or someone important, uncertainty around health concerns, struggling with a relentless ... Read more

Jeffrey Hoy

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
I am a therapist who wants to help you, in the way that works for you, and at the pace that works for you. I seek to create a safe, calm, and open place for you to explore what is really going on. I have lived a richly... Read more

Joseph Tse

Ph.D., R.Psych
I am Registered Psychologist (#2491) in British Columbia. I enjoy working with adults on a variety of psychological concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress management, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).... Read more