Aviva Psychology Services
Therapy for identity development
in Massachusetts
Helping clients explore their sense of identity, develop deeper understanding, and cope with challenges during demanding life transitions.
Finding your identity in the face of change.
Finding who we are as we go through change is a challenge. It can often feel like a crisis, even if we are able to sustain our work and relationships. On the outside it might look ok, but on the inside you might feel like you don’t know who you are anymore. You might be coping with an unwanted transition such as grief and loss or even a desired change, like graduating from college. Whenever we face transitions in life, it’s normal to feel less secure in who we are.
While this change can feel like a crisis, it is also an opportunity to deepen your sense of purpose and belonging. Over the course of a lifetime, you might experience confusion and disconnection surrounding a fundamental question: “Who am I?” This type of existential questioning can cause distress, as it leads you to feel separate from those who are closest to you.
Some of the common milestones of identity formation and life transitions include:
- Establishing Independence: young adults who move out from their family home and are adjusting to new responsibilities and freedoms
- Exploring Partnership: decisions around whether or not to pursue a partner; levels of commitment (including decisions on co-habitating, marriage); separation, divorce
- Building a Career: feeling directionless with regards to professional goals, navigating changes in a career path, exploring new alternatives, coping with job loss, retirement
- Examining Reproductive Choices: decisions regarding parenthood (pregnancy, fertility treatments, adoption, step-parenting) and child-free living
- Connecting to Self: exploring and integrating significant layers of identity, such as race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, and spirituality/religiosity
Navigating any of these milestones alone can bring on distress and confusion. At Aviva, we aim to weave in hope in times of struggle. Our highly-skilled and empathetic therapists want to join you in the pursuit of a life aligned with your values, connected to your purpose, and imbued with belonging.
How can therapy help through life transitions?
Going through difficult life transitions and navigating identity issues can be an isolating experience. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you take note of how these challenges may impact your life:
- Do you feel overwhelmed with figuring out what your goals are and how to pursue them?
- Do you feel less connected to others you previously felt close to?
- Do you feel less confident and more confused about who you are?
- Do you feel like you can’t trust “your gut” or feel insecure about your future?
- Do you avoid making decisions due to fear of failure?
Resoliving of identity confusion and coping with life transitions can impact all areas of your life.
Psychotherapy can be a resource for you in times of turmoil, providing support as you adjust to a new sense of yourself.
Why choose Aviva Psychology Services?
At Aviva Psychology Services, our team of doctoral-level psychologists bring advanced training in evidence-based treatments for life transitions and identity development, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy and psychodynamic approaches. Therapy can help you navigate the complex emotional, cognitive, and relational impacts of adjustment-related challenges. It can help you build psychological flexibility, enhance self-understanding, and restore a sense of purpose and well-being.
We recognize that effective treatment is never one-size-fits-all. We honor that your experiences will be shaped by your unique history, relationships, identity, and values. Whether in person in our offices in Northampton or Downtown Boston or via telehealth, our work is collaborative and personalized.
Our therapy process
Getting started doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s what to expect:
Request an Appointment
Once you complete the
form, we will reach out. If we have a fitting opening, we schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to assess fit further together.
Assessment and Planning
The first 2–4 sessions assess your concerns, history, and goals. You and your therapist will discuss fit and establish a treatment plan together.
Ongoing Weekly Sessions
Sessions are held at the same time each week and typically last 55 minutes to work towards your treatment goals.
Benefits of Identity Therapy
Discover Resilience
Connect with your strengths and build your skills for coping with stress and adversity.
Embrace Change
Learn how to navigate uncertainty and welcome change with confidence
Build Connections
Improve your relationships with yourself and others; and experience a greater sense of belonging.
Change can lead to growth.
We're trained to help you make the most of difficult transitions and connect with yourself at a deeper level.
