The changes and transitions of midlife can really do a number on your sense of self.
I’ve called in reinforcements to help me unpack what happens to your sense of self in midlife and how to rebuild it.
Lisa Maholchic and Marna Brickman are therapists practicing in Annapolis, Maryland, at Guiding Therapy and they’re here to share their tips and tools for creating a firm foundation from which to navigate the many twists and turns of midlife. We’re talking about why it’s so important for women to have a strong sense of self during the transitions of midlife and what to do if you feel like you’re lacking that sense of self.
As a therapist and social worker, Lisa’s goal is to help people identify and manage symptoms that get in the way of their genuine happiness and overall well-being. Rather than one size fits all, she uses a person-centered approach drawing from a variety of methods to meet the specific needs of the individual. She has over 15 years of experience working in mental health. Her background includes community development work with adolescents, family and crisis interventions, treatment-level foster care, an outpatient mental health clinic, and opening her own practice in 2017. She specializes in working with adolescents and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, mood regulation, and trauma-related symptoms.
Marna works collaboratively with her clients in a non-judgmental space to improve overall happiness and well-being. It is her goal to meet each client where they are to uncover difficult roadblocks and provide the tools to foster improvement according to each individual’s unique goals. She has worked with individuals aged 5-78 as well as families and couples from a variety of backgrounds and with a range of mental health concerns. She has previously worked in substance abuse treatment, hospice care, and grief counseling. Her training in trauma, CBT, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based therapy allows for an integrative and flexible approach. She believes everyone has the capacity to live a positive and enjoyable life and it is her goal to help facilitate each client in gaining the skills and tools they need to forge a more fulfilling path.
Topics We Cover in This Episode:
- What it means to have a strong sense of self
- Getting clear on your values
- How to identify your wants and needs
- Why you might consider working with a therapist at this time in your life
- How often to check in with yourself
- Ways to connect with other women
- Working on your romantic relationship after your kids leave the house
- How to assess your stress tolerance
- The importance of finding and using your support system
- Tips for finding the right therapist for you
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with developing your sense of self in midlife. As human beings, we’re changing all the time! Maybe you’ve never felt like you had a strong sense of self and you’re ready for that to change, or maybe the recent changes in your life have shaken up your sense of identity and you’re reevaluating what’s important to you. Whatever your journey looks like, we’re here for you.
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