Counselling for Life Transitions & Adjustment
Some of the hardest seasons are not crises but changes — even good ones. A move, a new school or job, emigration, a new baby, an empty nest, retirement. Stephanie de Raay is a counselling psychologist (HPCSA – PS 0154580) who works with teenagers and adults across South Africa by scheduled video call, so support travels with you through whatever is shifting.
If a change that “should” be fine is knocking you sideways, that is worth taking seriously.
What a difficult adjustment can look like
It can feel like being unsettled, anxious, low, stuck, or homesick — questioning your identity, or struggling to cope with something you expected to handle easily.
Adjustment and change for teens
For teens, this often means a new school, moving town, emigration, a parent working abroad, or a family reshaping after divorce. The ground moving under them shows up as anxiety, withdrawal or acting out. There is more on counselling for teenagers in South Africa.
Life transitions for adults
For adults it can be a career change, relocation, becoming a parent, divorce, an empty nest, midlife, retirement or emigration — including the move from a smaller town to a city, and everything that comes with it. There is more on counselling for adults in South Africa.
How Stephanie works with life transitions
The work is person-centred: making sense of the change, grieving what is left behind, and finding your footing again — with DBT-informed tools for sitting with uncertainty. More about Stephanie and her approach.
Frequently asked questions
It is a positive change — why do I feel so bad?
Even good changes involve loss and uncertainty. Feeling shaky does not mean you made the wrong choice.
My teen has struggled since we moved — will it pass?
Often it eases with time and support. If it is dragging on or affecting school and mood, a few sessions can help them settle.
Is adjustment the same as anxiety or depression?
They overlap. Adjustment struggles often bring anxiety or low mood, and usually respond well to support.
How long does it take?
Many people feel steadier within a handful of sessions, especially when the change is recent.
How sessions and fees work
Sessions are 55-minute secure video calls, and everything starts with a free 15-minute intake call. Full detail on how sessions run, fees and medical-aid reimbursement lives on the therapy FAQs page.
Support wherever you are
Because everything is by scheduled video call, you can work with Stephanie from anywhere in South Africa — see the areas we serve. Many people also find counselling for anxiety helpful, as big changes often stir up anxiety.
A note on safety
If you or someone you care about is in immediate danger, talking about suicide, self-harm, or in crisis, please seek urgent in-person emergency help immediately (local emergency services or your nearest hospital). Therapy is not a replacement for emergency care.
Book a free intake call
The easiest place to start is a free 15-minute intake call to see whether this is the right fit. You can reach Stephanie directly:
📞 079 565 1779
📧 info@stephaniepsych.com
Book a session
You can also explore counselling for teenagers and counselling for adults in South Africa.
depression and
mood concerns
anxiety
adjustment
pregnancy and
post-partum
loss and grief
divorce
life transitions
trauma
emotional dysregulation
relationship difficulties
self-esteem
school and
work stress
It is important to note that online therapy is not suited to everyone. For individuals who are in crisis, with self-harm or suicidal risks, or in need of in-patient admission, it is strongly advised that they seek therapeutic intervention with an in-person psychologist. If requested, I will be able to provide a list of recommended psychologists in your area. If at any time during the therapeutic process I feel that online therapy is no longer suitable or clinically adequate, I will refer you to a trusted colleague who can take over your therapeutic process in-person.
Therapy sessions are scheduled for 55 minutes and fees are aligned with current medical aid rates. Please note that this practice operates as a cash practice, requiring payment on the day of your session and I do not claim on your behalf from your medical aid. I will issue you with an invoice which you can then submit to your medical aid for reimbursement.
For more, see our therapy FAQs.
Sessions available via secure video call
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