Do I have to do breathing exercises or meditation?

Not at all. Body-based work is about building awareness of what’s happening in your body — not following a script. We go at your pace, and nothing is required. Some people find breathwork helpful; others prefer simply noticing sensations as we talk. We’ll find what works for you.

What if I feel disconnected from my body?

That disconnection is incredibly common, especially for people who’ve experienced trauma or chronic stress. Feeling numb or “not in your body” isn’t a barrier to this work; it’s often exactly where we start. We build that connection slowly and safely, together.

Is trauma-focused therapy going to make me feel worse before I feel better?

It’s a fair concern. Trauma-focused therapy is not about re-living painful events. It’s about processing them in a way that builds safety and stability first. We move at a pace that feels manageable, and you’re always in the driver’s seat. Many people feel a sense of relief rather than overwhelm.

How is somatic therapy different from regular talk therapy?

Talk therapy works primarily through language and insight. Somatic therapy adds attention to the body – noticing where tension lives, how your breathing shifts, what physical sensations show up when you talk about something difficult. It’s especially helpful when you feel like you “know” something intellectually but can’t quite feel the shift yet.

Life Transitions | Sorenson Counseling

Navigating Life's Many Transitions

Change is inevitable, yet not insurmountable. I provide a grounded space for my clients in Colorado, Tennessee, and Florida to process the uncertainty and stress of major shifts. Together, we discover clarity and resilience in every chapter.

Some transitions arrive as good news and still knock you off balance. A move, a new role, a wedding, a baby, an ending you chose. Others arrive uninvited. A divorce, a death of a loved one, aging, diagnosis of a chronic disease, the loss of a job. However you got here, you might feel unmoored, like the ground you were standing on shifted and you haven't quite found the new one yet. That disorientation is real, and it does not mean you are doing anything wrong.

When the ground shifts

Life transitions can be external, internal, or both. People often reach out while navigating specific changes in their lives, like those below.

Career Change

A career change, job loss, retirement, or shift in professional identity

Geographical Transitions

A move to a new state or city, returning home after abroad, or a new stage of life

A Relationship Shift

The beginning or ending of a significant relationship

Family Life

Becoming a parent or an empty nest, divorce or separation, coming out

Grief and Loss

Loss and grief, and the reordering of life that follows

An Internal Shift

A quieter, internal shift in who you are and what you want, or midlife crisis

Even changes you wanted can bring uncertainty, grief, or a sense of being between two versions of your life. You are allowed to mourn the version you're leaving, while you're grateful for the one you're stepping into. Therapy offers a steady place to find your footing again.

What our work together looks like

You are the expert on your own life, especially now, when you are the one living through the change. I will follow your lead while holding you accountable to what you have said matters to you. Some sessions will be about making sense of things out loud. Others might include something concrete to try between sessions, because steadier footing is often built in small steps. Throughout, I will be honest and transparent, because you deserve that as you figure out what comes next.

What healing can look like

You won't always feel this unmoored. As we work together, you might start to experience:

✓

Steadier footing, even while things are still in motion

Clarity about what you actually want from this next chapter

✓

Grief that softens, and space for what's ending to matter

✓

A clearer sense of who you are becoming

Moving forward, with intention, as the new version of yourself

Finding your footing after a major shift takes time, but you don't have to walk this path alone. A new chapter is waiting, and we can start it today.

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I'm Trista Sorenson, a licensed therapist working with adults across Colorado, Tennessee, and Florida. I became a therapist because I know what it feels like to search for solid ground, and I would love to help you find yours as your life shifts.

FAQ on Life Transitions Counseling for Adults in Colorado, Tennessee, and Florida

Can therapy help with a life transition even if nothing is "wrong"?

Yes, therapy is genuinely helpful during transitions, even when nothing is wrong. Change of any kind, including welcome change, can bring uncertainty, grief, or a loss of footing. Therapy offers a steady, supportive place to sort through what you are feeling and decide what you want next.

Is it normal to struggle with a change I actually chose?

Yes, it is completely normal to struggle with a change you wanted. Positive transitions still involve loss, uncertainty, and a shift in identity. Feeling unsettled does not mean you made the wrong choice. It means you are human, and adjusting to something real.

How long does therapy for a life transition take?

There is no fixed timeline, since it depends on the change and what you want from our work. Some people come for focused support through a specific transition, while others stay longer to explore what it opened up. We check in regularly and let your needs guide the pace.

Can I do this therapy online from anywhere in my state?

Yes, this practice is fully telehealth, so you can meet from wherever you are located in Colorado, Tennessee, or Florida. Sessions are 50 minutes by secure video, which is especially convenient during a move, a new job, or a season when your schedule is in flux.

How long does therapy for anxiety and depression take?

There's no fixed timeline, because everyone is different, though many people notice meaningful shifts within a few months. Some approaches are shorter-term by design, and we check in regularly about how things feel and adjust as we go. There is no pressure to rush.