Navigating a Career Change: How Therapy Can Help
By Dr. Quinnett Swank, EdD, Marriage and Family Therapist - Intern
Making a career change can be both exciting and overwhelming. You may find yourself questioning your current path, wondering if it still aligns with who you are today. For many, midlife brings a deep desire to find more purpose, balance, and meaning in their professional lives. Midlife career change therapy can provide the support and clarity needed to navigate this important transition with confidence.
Why Career Changes in Are Common and Complex
After years of building a career, growing and raising a family, or caring for others, you might start to ask deeper questions: Is this what I want to be doing long-term? Do I still feel fulfilled by this work? What would it look like to choose a different path now?
This period of self-inquiry is a healthy and expected part of adult development. However, it can also bring fear, uncertainty, and self-doubt. You may worry about financial stability, starting over, or how others will perceive your decision. Career change counseling can help you unpack these feelings and move forward in a grounded, thoughtful way.
Common Fears Around Career Change
"What if I fail?"
"Is it too late to start over?"
"Am I being irresponsible?"
"Will I lose everything I've worked for?"
These fears are valid and common. Therapy offers a space to explore them without judgment. Therapy can help you recognize where fear is holding you back versus where it can serve as a signal for deeper values and needs.
Signs You May Be Ready for a Career Change
You don't have to wait for a crisis to consider a new path. Here are a few signs that you might be ready to explore a career transition:
Persistent dissatisfaction or burnout
Loss of interest in work you once enjoyed
Longing for a deeper sense of purpose
Regular thoughts about doing something different
Physical symptoms like fatigue or stress
If these sound familiar, you're not alone. Many people seek therapy during this phase to better understand what they need and how to move forward.
How Therapy Can Support Your Journey
Therapy provides more than just emotional support. It can offer a structured process for rediscovering your values, identifying your strengths, and building the confidence to pursue change. Here's how it can help:
1. Clarifying Your Values and Priorities
What mattered to you in initially might not reflect who you are now. Therapy helps you clarify your core values so you can align your next career move with what feels authentic.
2. Processing Grief and Identity Shifts
Letting go of a career you've invested in can bring up feelings of grief, loss, or identity confusion. Therapy can guide you through these emotions so they don't block your progress.
3. Addressing Work-Related Stress and Self-Esteem
Many career changers struggle with imposter syndrome or low confidence. Therapy can help you reframe your experiences and rebuild a sense of competence and self-worth.
4. Exploring Options and Building a Plan
You don't need to know exactly what's next to start the process. Therapy can help you explore your interests, test out new ideas, and create a realistic action plan that respects your needs and limitations.
A Supportive Approach to Career Change
It's okay if you don't have it all figured out. It’s natural to feel unsure. Therapy offers a supportive and steady space where you can sort through your options, reconnect with what matters to you, and take next steps at your own pace.
You don’t have to face this transition alone. Whether you're considering a complete career pivot or simply wondering what else might be possible, career change counseling can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re feeling the pull toward something new, therapy can support you through every stage of this journey. I specialize in therapy for adults navigating life transitions, work-related stress, and questions of purpose.
Located in Las Vegas, NV, I offer both in-person and virtual sessions to help you explore your next chapter with clarity and confidence.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and begin your path toward meaningful change.
Until next time. Take care!
Dr. Quinnett
About Dr. Quinnett
I’m Dr. Quinnett Swank, a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern based in Las Vegas, Nevada. I specialize in helping women, moms, and couples navigate anxiety, stress, life transitions, parenting challenges, and relationship struggles. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of your next steps, I provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy designed to help you feel grounded and confident again.
I offer both in-person counseling in Las Vegas and online therapy throughout Nevada, making support accessible wherever you are. My approach combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and attachment-focused techniques to help you reduce anxiety, heal disconnection, and build healthier relationships with yourself and others.
My passion is helping women and couples move beyond survival mode so they can thrive—finding balance, confidence, and deeper connection in their everyday lives.
Ready to take the next step?
I'd love to support you on your journey toward feeling more grounded and confident. You can schedule a consultation by using the Book a Consultation button.
Important Note: This blog post is for educational purposes and isn't intended to replace professional mental health care. If you're experiencing severe anxiety, panic attacks, or thoughts of self-harm, please reach out to your healthcare provider or call 988 for immediate support.
