Therapy for Life Transitions in Marin County and Oakland (Divorce, Death, Job Loss, Parenthood– it can look many ways)
Some changes arrive unexpected, an unwelcome curveball from the ether: a marriage ending, a job gone, a loss you didn’t see coming. Others creep in behind the scenes until the life you built no longer fits. Either way, the ground shifts.
Therapy can be a steady place to land while you figure out what comes next.
What it can look like
- You’re separating or divorcing, and home, money, kids, and identity are all in flux at once
- You’re co-parenting and trying to keep your kids out of the middle
- You’ve lost a job, or left one, and aren’t sure who you are without it
- A career you worked hard for no longer feels like yours
- You’re functioning fine on the outside and grieving on the inside
- You keep replaying what went wrong, or what you should have done differently
Divorce and separation
Divorce changes nearly everything at once: where you live, how often you see your kids, your finances, your friendships, your sense of yourself. Many people, and men in particular, handle the logistics well and only later notice how much they’ve been carrying.
We make room for the grief and the anger, and for the practical decisions too: co-parenting, setting up a new home, dating again when you’re ready. Neither has to crowd out the other.
Job loss and/or career change
Work is often where structure, identity, and self-worth quietly live. When a job ends, whether by layoff, burnout, or your own choice, the loss is often bigger than the paycheck.
We look at what the work meant to you, what you actually want next, and the self-criticism that tends to show up in the gap. If ADHD is part of your story, we’ll factor in how your attention and energy really work when we think about what fits.
You don’t need to have it figured out to start.
Grief and loss
Many transitions are unchosen, or have aspects that are. Some are losses, plain and simple. Grief doesn’t follow a schedule, has no qualms about when to strike, and doesn’t need to be fixed. It needs room, and someone willing to sit with it alongside you.
How I work
I’m an integrative therapist, so I don’t hand everyone the same plan. I pay close attention to what happens underneath what’s being said: shifts in your body, your energy, your tone. Transitions often live there before they make sense in words.
Some sessions will be practical: decisions, next steps, the conversation you’re dreading. Others will be about slowing down enough to feel what has changed. Both matter. If you’re a man looking for a male therapist, read more about my therapy for men.
What to expect
- Where: Kentfield (Marin County), Oakland, or online
- How long: about 55 minutes, once a week
- Cost: $200 per session; superbills available for out-of-network reimbursement
- First step: a free consultation call to see if we’re a good fit
Common questions about therapy for life transitions
Can therapy help with divorce?
Yes. Therapy during or after a divorce gives you a place to work through grief, anger, and guilt, make clearer decisions about co-parenting and next steps, and rebuild/rediscover a sense of who you are outside the marriage.
Should I start therapy during the divorce or wait until it’s final?
Many people find it most helpful to start during the process, when decisions are being made and stress is highest. Starting after is also common, especially when the practical dust settles and the emotional weight finally shows up.
I’m the one who chose to leave. Is therapy still for me?
Yes. Choosing to end a relationship doesn’t spare you grief, guilt, or doubt. Therapy can help you make sense of those feelings without second-guessing every decision.
Do you work with men going through divorce?
Yes. Many of the people I see are men navigating separation, divorce, and co-parenting, and some specifically want a male therapist. You can read more about my therapy for men.
How can therapy help after a layoff or job loss?
Therapy helps you separate your worth from your job title, manage the anxiety and self-criticism that often follow a layoff, and think clearly about what you want next instead of grabbing the first thing that appears.
What kinds of life transitions do you help with?
Any significant change: divorce and separation, the death of a loved one, job loss and career change, a breakup, a move, becoming a parent, an empty nest, retirement, or a change in health. If your life is reorganizing itself and you feel unsteady, this is the right place.
How long does therapy for a life transition usually take?
It varies. Some people come for a few months around a specific change; others stay longer because the transition opens up deeper questions. We’ll check in together about what’s helping and what you need.
Do I need to be in crisis to start?
No. Many people come in before things fall apart, because they want support while they make a big decision or adjust to one.
Where are your offices, and do you offer online therapy?
I see clients in person in Kentfield, in central Marin County, and in Oakland near Rockridge, and online by secure video for clients located in California.
How much does therapy cost, and do you take insurance?
My rate is $200 per 55-minute session, held once weekly. I’m an out-of-network provider and can give you a superbill to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. See fees and FAQ for details.
Getting started
If you’re in the middle of a change and want a steady place to sort through it, reach out and we’ll set up a free consultation.
Or call (510) 214-2646
Gustav Helzberg, MA, LMFT #144932