Therapist for Life Transitions in Boston and Brookline, MA
Therapy to grieve what’s ending and empower you to face what’s ahead.
Navigating Life Transitions Therapy in Boston and Brookline, MA
Even good changes can knock you off balance. A promotion, a move, or a parenting shift can leave you feeling unexpectedly lost.
Life transitions ask you to let go of what used to be before you've figured out what comes next. That in-between space can feel destabilizing and lonely, whether you chose the change or it was thrust upon you.
Together, we'll help you find your way to your new normal.
Therapist for Life Transitions in Boston and Brookline, MA
Transitions come in many forms, but they all change your routine and how you see yourself.
As a therapist, I often work with high achievers who are used to handling change well but find the current adjustment harder than they expected.
I support clients through:
Academic Pressure
Care for graduate and professional students facing high expectations, heavy workloads, and uncertain timelines.
Burnout
Support for the exhaustion and detachment that develop after running on empty for too long.
Career Changes and Work Stress
Guidance through promotions, job loss, career pivots, and workplace pressure that leave you questioning your path.
Divorce and Separation
Support for rebuilding your world and sense of self after a relationship ends, including when there are children involved.
Family Conflict
Help navigating strained relationships with parents, siblings, or extended family, especially as roles shift.
Grief and Loss
Space to mourn the death of a loved one or other losses that reshape your daily life.
Identity and LGBTQ+ Experiences
An affirming place to explore who you are, including coming out, gender identity, and other shifts in how you understand yourself. I’m a trans-affirming provider who has evaluated patients for HRT and other gender-affirming therapy (including surgery).
Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt
Help quieting the fear of being found out, even when your track record says you belong.
Parenting
Support for the evolving demands of raising children, from the toddler years to an empty nest.
Relationship Changes
Affirming care for shifts in your relationships, including non-monogamous and kink-involved dynamics.
Whatever change you’re facing, whether it was wanted or a complete surprise, I’m here to help you make sense of it and move forward.
What to Expect from Life Transitions Therapy
Our treatment starts with you sharing your story. We'll look at how your life used to be, what's missing or different now, and what you might be mourning, even if the change was something you wanted and often worked hard for.
From there, we’ll revisit how you've handled big stressors in the past, identify the strategies that still serve you, and build new ones for this phase of your life.
We'll also clarify what's important to you in this new chapter, so the steps you take reflect your values and not old expectations (from yourself or others).
Transitions can shake your confidence, but they can also become a chance to build a fulfilling, enjoyable life.
Therapy for Life Transitions in Boston and Brookline, MA
Session Details
Consultation:
We start with a 20-minute phone call to see whether we're a good fit.
First appointment:
Your initial session is $300 for 60 minutes.
Ongoing sessions:
Ongoing sessions are $275 for 50-55 minutes.
In person:
I see clients in a calm, window-filled office at 1577 Beacon Street, Suite D, in Brookline.
Telehealth:
Virtual sessions are available anywhere in Massachusetts and Virginia.
Payment:
I accept cash, check, and all major credit cards, including HSA cards.
Insurance:
I'm an out-of-network provider and will give you the paperwork to submit for reimbursement. If you’re unsure how this works, I’m here to help!
If you'd like to know what your plan may cover, I partner with Mentaya to check your out-of-network benefits before your first session.
When you're ready, reach out to schedule a consultation, and we'll talk through what support could look like for you.
Therapist for Life Transitions in Boston and Brookline, MA
Meet Elizabeth Apkin, Psy.D.
With a doctorate in clinical psychology, I use ACT-based principles to empower you to realign your life with your values, and psychodynamic theory to understand how your earlier life experiences have influenced the way you respond to change.
Because I also specialize in perinatal mental health, trauma, anxiety, and depression, I can support you through any challenges that a transition brings to the surface.
I welcome clients of all genders, identities, and relationship structures, including LGBTQ+, non-monogamous, and kink-involved clients, as well as clients of all immigration statuses.
Here’s what my colleagues say:
“She balances providing validation with offering other perspectives, ensuring her clients feel supported.”
“As a couples therapist, having excellent referrals is incredibly important when my clients need individual support. Dr. Apkin is at the top of that list. She is not only a highly skilled clinician but also one who balances providing validation with offering other perspectives, ensuring her clients feel supported while gaining insight and growing. I recommend her without reservation.”
— Dr. Isabelle Morley, licensed psychologist
Is Therapy for Life Transitions Right for You?
Transitions don't come with instructions, and therapy can help if:
You got what you wanted, yet you feel unsettled or even a little lost.
You miss parts of your old life, even ones you were eager to leave behind.
You're not sure who you are outside your job, relationship, or former role.
Decisions that used to feel simple now plague you with self-doubt.
You feel disconnected from friends and family who don't understand what you're going through.
Stress about the change is affecting your sleep, focus, or mood.
You're running on fumes and can't remember the last time you felt rested.
You keep telling yourself you should be over this by now.
Adjusting to change takes time, and you don’t have to solve everything by yourself.
Therapist for Life Transitions in Boston and Brookline, MA
We'll be a good match if you want a therapist who:
- Brings doctoral-level training to anxiety, grief, and doubt that often come with change.
- Knows how unsettling it can be when your usual strategies stop working in a new phase of life.
- Recognizes that even a wanted change can come with loss.
- Offers affirming care for LGBTQ+ clients and people in non-monogamous or kink-involved relationships.
Transitions are a natural time to look more closely at the patterns and values guiding your life, and we’ll explore them together.
Therapy for Life Transitions in Boston and Brookline, MA
FAQs
What is life transitions therapy?
Life transitions therapy helps you adjust to major changes, such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, new parenthood, a career shift, or a move. We explore the change, what you might be grieving, and what you need to move forward in an aligned way.
Is it normal to struggle with a change I wanted?
Yes. Even positive changes, like a promotion or a long-awaited milestone, involve letting go of familiar routines and parts of your identity. Feeling unsettled doesn't mean you made the wrong choice, and exploring those feelings can make the adjustment easier.
Where is your office?
My office is at 1577 Beacon Street, Suite D, in Brookline, just outside Boston. I also offer telehealth sessions anywhere in Massachusetts and Virginia.
How much does life transitions therapy cost?
The first appointment is $300 for 60 minutes, and ongoing sessions are $275 for 50 to 55 minutes. I accept cash, check, and all major credit cards, including HSA cards.
Do you take insurance?
I'm an out-of-network provider for most major carriers, with one exception. I'm in-network with UnitedHealthcare Student Resources for Boston College and Tufts University students.
Many plans reimburse part of out-of-network care, and I'll give you the paperwork to submit. Paying privately also keeps your diagnosis and treatment details off your insurance record.
You can learn more on my Fees and Insurance page.
More Areas of Clinical Focus
Infertility and Loss →
Grief-focused support through fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, termination, and stillbirth, at a pace that feels right for you.
Pregnancy and Postpartum →
Perinatal care for the anxiety, depression, and identity shifts that can come with pregnancy and a new baby.
Trauma and PTSD →
Trauma-informed therapy that helps you rebuild a sense of safety and control after overwhelming experiences.
OCD →
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to loosen the hold of intrusive thoughts and compulsions, including those that can develop during pregnancy and parenthood.
Anxiety and Depression →
Support for persistent worry, low mood, and perfectionism that make it hard to enjoy what you've worked for.
