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by Megan Ockovic, MA, MHC-LP Throughout our lives we are constantly developing and changing, often alongside changes to our life circumstances. We begin as newborns, then toddlers, developing and changing day to day and minute to minute. We may experience transitioning to a form of childcare, such as daycare or a nanny caring for us in addition to our primary caregivers. We experience a transition when we become a student, being tasked with learning certain information and often transitioning to spending time away from the home regularly. We make many transitions throughout our adolescence, including puberty, hormonal changes (often including sexual attraction to others, often before it is understood on a cognitive level), social influence, making (and breaking) of friendships, joining of sports and clubs, and thoughts of future career. As we leave high school, we transition to the world of college and/or the world of work, and possibly increase independence by separating from primary caregivers and living with friends, significant others, or on our own. We transition in and out of relationships as we find and change our path. We may choose to marry, to divorce, to move, to have children. All of which are transitions. We must experience hundreds of transitions throughout our lives! Sometimes transitions are unexpected, such as: unwanted transitions due to an injury or loss of a close friend; transitions that lead to a range of feelings like being needed to care for a family member or an unexpected pregnancy; and transitions that trigger feelings of extreme happiness like a proposal or finding out that you won the lottery. An important factor to consider is the impact that the transition may have on your life and how it may affect your day to day life. The impact of the event on your relationships, routines, assumptions about yourself, the world, and roles are also important to consider. Life transitions, although normal and frequent, are crucial to our development. We learn from our life transitions. We may mature and grow from our life transitions. Internal transitions can impact our sense of self. Questions such as “Who am I?” can be an important part of this process. Our sense of identity, autonomy, and spirituality can also be part of this transition process. Due to everyone’s situations being different, here are five important factors to consider when going through a transition: 1. TriggerWhat set off the transition? Was it planned, expected, or unexpected? Was the trigger something that you chose to do? 2. TimingHow does the transition affect your current life situation? Is it happening at a time that feels like the right time? Is it happening at a time that family, friends, and society will be accepting of, or is there the possibility of having to cope with negative feedback or challenges from others in your life? 3. ControlWhat aspects of this transition are within my control? Do you have the ability to make choices that will slow down, speed up, or change the trajectory of this transition? 4. Role ChangeDoes this transition involve a role change for me? Do I feel that my identity will be challenged or forced to shift due to this transition? Is it a role change that I am looking forward to, or one that I am dreading (or maybe a mixture of both!)? 5. DurationIs this transition sudden or drawn out, and is it seen as permanent or temporary? Am I able to influence or make decisions that will change the duration of this transition?  Transitions that typically occur at certain times for others may occur for you at a different time, which can make them more difficult to go through, feeling that you are missing the camaraderie and support that you had expected to have. Here are some suggestions for when you are experiencing a transition in your life:
Read on for more details about each of the above suggestions: 1. Seek Support from Loved OnesHaving support from others can help immensely with going through a life transition. You can turn to family and friends who know you well to share your thoughts, feelings, and struggles with. Consider a loved one(s) who you know will be supportive in the way that you need them to be. Perhaps speaking with a loved one(s) who has been through a similar transition, especially if you feel that they handled it well. 2. Seek Support from your CommunityConnecting with others who have experienced similar transitions can help you to feel heard and understood. The community that you seek support from can be local to your home, including support groups, meetups, and groups held at your local doctor or therapist’s office. The community can also reach further, meeting with others in an online format, whether using social media, virtual support groups, or message boards on websites devoted to specific concerns or experiences. 3. Connect with YourselfIt can be easy to feel overwhelmed and focused only on your current life transition. Many people find themselves no longer engaging in hobbies and activities that they used to enjoy, which can lead to increased feelings of sadness and depression. Try to continue engaging in the things that you enjoy, even if they must be modified in order to engage at the current time. 4. JournalingWriting down your thoughts and feelings can help you to process them as they come up. It can be kept privately or shared with trusted others who may be helping you through your current life transition. You may choose to discard the journal at some point in time, or save it to refer back to in the future. 5. Seek Professional SupportEngaging in therapeutic services can help you to further process your thoughts and feelings about your current experiences. Life transitions can leave us in states of contemplation, confusion, and with difficult emotions. Working with a therapist may help you to explore identity shifts you are experiencing, accommodate your hobbies and activities to your life change, and seek the support that will be helpful. If the cause of your life transition was traumatic to you, a therapist can assist with processing this and moving past the trauma.  Upcoming Seasonal TransitionsSince we are quickly approaching some major annual transitions, let's take some time to discuss them here. Seasonal and holiday transitions be very difficult for individuals. Some may be affected by adjusting clocks in the spring or fall, others are affected by temperature changes. The upcoming Daylight Savings Time change of “Falling back” means getting an extra hour in the middle of the night. It also means spending a lot more of the day in darkness. This can impact your routine, your mood, and your natural rhythm. Research is increasingly uncovering ways that Daylight Savings Time affects physical and mental health. Holidays can also be difficult due to pressures to have it all together, time spent with family members that may be triggering, as well as grieving holidays past and family members who have died and are no longer part of the celebrations. Some holiday traditions may spur memories of holidays past, triggering grief, guilt, and a cascade of other painful and complex emotions. The following are some strategies to help with the change of seasons and holidays :
Life transitions, whether seasonal, expected, or unexpected, can be difficult and really tough to go through. You are not alone! Therapy can help. Working with a clinician who understands the complexity of life transitions can give you a safe space to explore and process your feelings as well as make healthy plans for moving forward. Therapists who specialize in life transitions can help you to better understand your new or changed role and cope with the changes you are going through. You do not have to feel alone in your journey! References: (1): Harvard Health, https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/shining-a-light-on-winter-depression#:~:text=You%20should%20absorb%20light%20for,light%20time%20before%2010%20a.m.
About the AuthorMeg Ockovic, MA, MHC-LP, is a clinician at Healing & Growth Counseling. She specializes in helping her clients to adjust to, cope with, and thrive through life transitions. She herself has been through many life transitions. One that she reflects on positively is that of changing careers to become a mental health counselor. She always knew that counseling was her passion, wanting to help and hold space for others going through changes in their lives. Her favorite part of working with clients through various life transitions and adjustments in life is the increase she witnesses in self-efficacy as clients are able to execute behaviors necessary to produce changes. She loves the opportunity to validate her clients' progress and to be their cheerleader while they learn new coping skills, self-beliefs, and the confidence necessary to navigate their current transition. Questions? Interested in scheduling an appointment? Call us at (516) 406-8991 or Submit a Contact Form here.
by Tiffany Leonard, MA, MHC-LP “It all started when I was a child”... is the kind of saying one may joke about when you tell a friend you go to therapy. All jokes aside; did you know that therapy does not always have to look like you’re lying on the couch with your feet up staring at a ceiling and talking to a stranger about your earliest childhood memories? Sigmund Freud may think otherwise but being in the 21st century, things are more up to date than way back then; sorry Freud! Therapy, in a nutshell, has many different areas and tactics that can be of help to any individual. Whether it be talking about a significant problem, deep diving into memories, or seeking new tools and coping mechanisms that one can use for everyday life, therapy can be tough work and at times quite daunting! But it doesn’t always have to feel that way. As a clinician, thinking outside of this box can include bringing creativity into your sessions. Being creative in your day to day work can be fun for both the clinician and client, while still assisting the client in working towards their goals. “What? Therapy can be fun? Doesn’t it have to be a serious conversation only? Isn’t that why people come to therapy to talk about stuff they’re afraid to talk to others about?” Well, dear reader, I’m glad you ask these important questions. The answer is simply ‘Yes’, therapeutic work CAN be both fun and productive, for both the client and therapist as well; this goes for all ages too, not just kids! In my line of work I find it important to gain an understanding of who my client is and develop creative activities that can help them to bring out and process what they are feeling. These activities can be used to help in building rapport with a client during the initial stages of therapy. They can also be used to help with history gathering and getting to know your client, often helping your client to not feel like it is a strict interview or interrogation. Creativity and art can be used in session in a way to help clients express and process difficult or painful feelings, as well as portray shifts and changes that have occurred internally. It is important to note that not all creative activities are for everyone, and not every session needs to involve these activities. I truly believe that therapy should be individualized for each client. I like to keep some creative activities in my "toolbox", ready to use them as needed during a meeting with a client. Here are some of my favorites: Drawing & Coloring in TherapyFreedom of expression in a safe space can bring about SO MANY emotions and behaviors that a clinician can identify and explore with the client. Drawing a picture of your family can help us to look at family dynamics and relationships within your family. We’re not looking for the next Vincent Van Gogh (although, if fitting, we will make a positive comment on how well you can imitate his work!). It can also lead to a broader conversation within the session about each family member and what makes them special to you. Coloring in general can be grounding and comforting. Choosing colors to fill in a mandala or coloring sheet can be a form of expression. Drawings and doodles can also help you to express inner thoughts and feelings. A popular childhood activity, it also can help our adult clients to soothe their inner child during or after expressing painful emotions. Jenga & Card GamesA game such as Jenga or one of many card games can be a fun and casual way to ease into a therapeutic conversation, especially in the first stages of therapy. It can also help us get to know feelings and reactions related to winning and losing. Participating in a competitive game can help us to explore self control aspects and coping with the unknown. As the Jenga tower teeters to and fro later in the game, it can stir up feelings related to the concerns that brought a client in for therapy. The symbolism of aspects of game play can lead the therapy session into addressing the roots of a client's concerns. Playing with ToysPlaying with toys with my client is an interactive experience to gauge how well the client can play with others, share personal items and even shows us what brings you comfort when times can feel stressful (everyone needs something soft and cuddly to give a squeeze when we feel overwhelmed; it’s therapeutic!). Toys can be used for grounding during trauma work. They can also be used to portray real life scenarios and experiences in the therapy room. They can help a client during role play scenarios, preparing to use what they are learning in therapy in their daily life. Having a CatchUs clinicians want to make sure you’re in the here and now and are grounded in session; especially when talking about specific traumatic event(s) that may cause painful emotions to arise. We want to include safety in our sessions when working with trauma; so tossing a ball (a soft stress ball is perfect!) back and forth helps clients to stay in the present moment. It is very challenging, maybe impossible, to catch and throw a ball when your mind is fully in the past! This is especially helpful while clients explore difficult experiences and emotions. Client's Creative OutletsMany clients have previously engaged in creative outlets that have been helpful for them. I enjoy giving them the opportunity to incorporate these tools into the therapy work. Especially if clients have found a creative outlet to be great for self care, incorporating it into the therapy work can be powerful. Clients may want to utilize clay, music, dance/movement, or other artistic avenues in and out of session as a way to enhance their therapy work. Another creative outlet that is more focused on the clinician, but will also benefit the client, is to enjoy creating a fun and comfortable environment within the office space. Show a bit of your personality within your safe space that you’ve created for your clients. Consider utilizing some of your creative outlets in creating your space. If you enjoy painting, buy a blank canvas and paint your own wall decor. If you enjoy working with clay, design a piece or two that sits on your shelf. If you enjoy building with wood, consider designing and building shelves or your ideal table for your office. Invite your clients into a warm and cozy area so that they may feel safe and comfortable enough to be vulnerable in the therapeutic process to gain the most from their time with you. With that being said: decorating your space can be a therapeutic experience for us clinicians too, so why not enjoy work while making yourselves feel at home too!  Tiffany incorporates art and creativity into her therapy practice, including the decorating of her therapy space! About the AuthorTiffany Leonard, MHC-LP is a therapist at Healing & Growth Counseling who lets her creative side shine when it comes to her work. She incorporates creative methods with her clients to help them to feel comfortable in therapy and to move towards their goals. She is always considering new ways to help her clients heal and overcome obstacles in their lives. She is also responsible for much of the decorating in our office in Massapequa Park, as you can see in the photo above. In her personal life, she incorporates creativity through hobbies such as baking, spending time outside with family and friends, and making travel plans. She also enjoys the creative outlets of others by reading books and watching movies and television shows.
Interested in learning more about Tiffany? Check out her bio page here. Interested in scheduling an appointment with Tiffany? Call us at (516) 406-8991 or fill out our Contact Form here. By Kat Pearl, Ed.M., MA, MHC Intern Over the past few years, online therapy has revolutionized the way we approach mental health care. As a mental health professional, I have witnessed how this innovative approach can make a profound difference in people’s lives. If you are considering whether online therapy is right for you, I encourage you to give it a try. Online Therapy is Convenient and AccessibleImagine having access to a skilled therapist no matter where you live. Online therapy makes this a reality, breaking down geographical barriers and bringing quality mental health care to your doorstep. Whether you live in a bustling city or a rural town, you can connect with a professional who understands your needs. The convenience of online therapy is unmatched. Forget about traffic, bad weather, parking, or squeezing an appointment into your packed schedule. With online therapy, you can have your session from the comfort of your home, during a break at work, or even while traveling. This flexibility ensures that therapy fits seamlessly into your life, making it easier to prioritize your mental well-being. Online Therapy Promotes Comfort & PrivacyFor many, the idea of sitting in a therapist's office can be daunting. Online therapy offers an alternative that feels less intimidating, allowing you to open up in a setting where you feel most comfortable. Whether it’s your cozy living room, a quiet spot in your home, or even your favorite park bench, you choose the environment that best supports your mental health journey. Privacy is another huge benefit. Attending therapy from a location of your choice adds an extra layer of confidentiality, reducing the anxiety of possibly running into someone you know. Online therapy allows you to take control of your mental health in a way that feels secure and discrete. Online Therapy is Proven to be EffectiveYou might wonder if online therapy is as effective as traditional, in-person sessions. The answer is a resounding yes. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective for treating a range of mental health issues, from anxiety and depression to PTSD. Techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) adapt beautifully to a virtual format, leading to meaningful, lasting change. Online Therapy Promotes a Strong Therapeutic RelationshipA strong, trusting relationship with your therapist is key to successful therapy, and online sessions are no exception. You might think that connecting through a screen would make it harder to build rapport, but that is not the case. Many therapists have honed their skills to ensure that the virtual experience feels warm, personal, and effective. Regular video calls and thoughtful check-ins can all contribute to a supportive therapeutic relationship. In fact, many clients find that the flexibility of online therapy allows them to be more open and honest, leading to deeper and more productive sessions. Final Thoughts: Online Therapy is Worth ItIn today’s fast-paced world, online therapy offers a unique opportunity to prioritize your mental health in a way that’s flexible, accessible, and effective. Whether you’re navigating life transitions, managing anxiety, or simply looking for a space to grow, online therapy could be the perfect fit for you. I encourage you to explore this option. Consider the convenience, the comfort, and the personalized care you can receive, all from the privacy of your own space. Online therapy isn’t just a viable alternative to traditional therapy – it’s a powerful tool that can help you lead a healthier, more balanced life. Your mental health is worth investing in, and online therapy might just be the perfect way to do it. Why not take that first step today? AuthorThis blog article was written by Kat Pearl, EdM, MA, MHC Intern, a Mental Health Counseling Intern at Healing & Growth Counseling. Kat has many years of experience as a certified school psychologist, and decided to go back to school to become a Mental Health Counselor so that she could work with people outside of the school setting to help them achieve their goals and heal from their past. Kat is an active yogi and long distance runner who engages in her own daily practice of meditation and mindfulness. She incorporates a variety of techniques into her routine, including breathwork, guided visualization, and mindful movement, in order to stay grounded and centered. Kat currently has openings for new clients for online therapy and offers evening and weekend options for appointments.
Interested in scheduling an appointment with Kat or one of our other online therapists? Call us at (516) 406-8991 or fill out a Contact Form here. Curious to know more about how Online Therapy works at Healing & Growth Counseling? Check out our Online Therapy in New York page here. |
PurposeBlog posts are meant to bring mental health awareness and education to anyone who visits our site. Please know that although reading blogs may be extremely helpful, they may not substitute the work that can be done in therapy. Archives
April 2025
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Healing & Growth Counseling
4770 Sunrise Highway, Suite 102
Massapequa Park, NY 11762
(516) 406-8991
4770 Sunrise Highway, Suite 102
Massapequa Park, NY 11762
(516) 406-8991
- Home
- Services
- Groups
-
Clinicians
- Sarah Mohan, MS, CRC, MHC-LP, CVE, WIP-C
- Candyce Young, MS, MHC-LP
- Fallon Panetta, MS, MHC Intern
- Brenna Tighe, LMHC, CRC
- Joann Romano, MSEd, LMHC
- Jaime Harkins, MSEd, LMHC, CRC
- Tiffany Leonard, MHC-LP
- Meg Ockovic, MHC-LP
- Rachel Lubell, LCSW-R, CASAC
- Heather DeGuire, MA, LMHC
- Erin Langstaff, MSEd, MHC Intern
- Cindy Zabinski, LMHC, CRC, ACS
- Fees & Insurance
- Contact
- Online Therapy in NY
- Blog