Counseling through Life Transitions & Stress in Virginia & Maryland
I help Catholics experiencing stress and overwhelm during life transitions, young adulthood, and major life events who want to place their trust in God and find a sense of peace in daily living.
What are Life Transitions?
Major life changes—like graduating, starting a career, getting married, or navigating new responsibilities—can bring excitement and purpose, but also uncertainty and anxiety. You might find yourself feeling restless or overwhelmed by questions about your future, comparing yourself to others, or second-guessing your choices. The more you try to quiet the anxious thoughts, the louder they seem to grow. You may feel pulled between who you were, who you are becoming, and where God is leading you next.
These seasons of transition can stir up anxiety that makes it hard to feel grounded or confident. But you don’t have to walk through them alone.
At Ora et Labora Catholic Counseling, we offer faith-based therapy that integrates Catholic teaching with evidence-based approaches to help you navigate change with peace and clarity. Together, we’ll work to calm your mind, strengthen your trust in God’s plan, and help you move forward with renewed confidence and hope.
If you’re seeking Catholic counseling for stress or life transitions, we’re here to walk with you. Healing and growth are possible—even in times of uncertainty.
How Faith Can Guide us in Major Life Events
Major life events—whether joyful, painful, or unexpected—can stir up deep stress and uncertainty. Changes like marriage, parenthood, career shifts, loss, or illness can leave you feeling anxious, tense, or overwhelmed by thoughts that won’t quiet down. Even when you trust God, it can be hard to feel His peace in the middle of the noise.
You might find yourself:
Carrying constant worries – Your mind races with “what ifs” about the future or replayed moments from the past.
Feeling alone or misunderstood – You may wonder why your faith isn’t bringing the calm you hoped for, or feel distant from others who seem to be handling life better.
Trying to pray or cope, but still feeling stuck – You’ve sought comfort, but lasting relief feels out of reach.
Experiencing physical strain – Stress can weigh on your body, leaving you tense, exhausted, and restless even when you long for peace.
These struggles can make it difficult to be present with loved ones or to find joy in daily life, no matter how much you try.
At Ora et Labora Catholic Counseling, we offer therapy that unites Catholic faith with evidence-based care to help you face life’s transitions and challenges with courage and grace. Together, we’ll work to calm your mind, strengthen your trust in God’s providence, and rediscover peace—body, mind, and soul.
Catholic Counseling Approach To Life Stress
Running the race, keeping the faith
At Ora et Labora, we blend professional therapy with Catholic values. For many of our clients, faith is central to their lives. They want to bring their faith into therapy, not leave it out. We can work together to address your mental health challenges while staying true to your spiritual beliefs.
Faith and mental healing are not opposed. Working on our mental health is one way in which we explore who we are and who we are created to be in the light of faith. Whether you’re struggling with life transitions, major life events, or other lie stress, we’ll create a plan that works for both your mind and your soul.
Why is stress so hard?
Stress is a natural part of life—especially during seasons of change, responsibility, or uncertainty. But when pressures begin to pile up, even small challenges can start to feel heavy. You might notice it affecting your sleep, your relationships, or your ability to feel at peace.
Stress is hard because it touches more than just the mind—it impacts the body, emotions, and spirit. It can leave you feeling tense, distracted, or distant from the calm and trust you want to have in God.
At Ora et Labora Catholic Counseling, we help you recognize when stress has become too much to carry alone. Together, we’ll develop practical tools for managing overwhelm, strengthen your sense of peace, and deepen your trust in God’s presence—so you can navigate life’s demands with greater calm and confidence.
Why Choose Catholic Counseling for Life Stress & Transitions?
In therapy, we’ll use research-backed approaches that help you respond to these challenges with greater calm, clarity, and purpose.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
Over time, you’ll learn to manage intrusive or stressful thoughts without being controlled by them. Therapy won’t remove life’s challenges, but it will help you navigate them differently—building resilience, faith, and freedom in your daily life.
How Catholic Therapy Can Help You
If you’re looking for therapy that truly respects your faith, Catholic counseling might be what you need. Your faith is a big part of who you are, and it should be part of your healing too. In our sessions, we’ll focus on what’s really going on in your life, whether it’s life stress, mental or emotional distress, or something else, without leaving your beliefs behind. You don’t have to separate your mental health from your faith.
Here, we’ll work through your struggles in a way that honors both. It’s not just about managing symptoms but finding a path that helps you grow mentally and spiritually. This is a space where you can feel fully understood—where both your faith and your mental health matter.
Breaking Free from the Weight of Stress
Major life changes—whether starting a new chapter, adjusting to loss, or stepping into a new role—can leave you feeling like everything is just a little too much. The uncertainty, the “what ifs,” and the fear of making the wrong decision can feel overwhelming. You might worry about letting others down, or wonder if you’ll ever feel steady again.
But it doesn’t have to stay that way. In therapy, we’ll work together to help you find balance and calm, even when life feels unpredictable. You’ll learn practical tools to manage your thoughts and emotions, so they don’t control you—and begin to approach new seasons of life with greater peace, confidence, and trust in where God is leading you.
Ready to connect?
Start the conversation today.
At Ora et Labora Catholic Counseling, we’re here to support you. If you’re ready to start the journey toward a more peaceful, balanced life, reach out to schedule a consultation. You don’t have to face this alone.