Identity Loss & Change Therapy
At some point in life, many people find themselves asking questions they never expected to ask.
Who am I now? What happened to the person I used to be? Why doesn’t my life feel like it fits anymore?
Loss of identity doesn’t always come from one dramatic event. It often develops through change, pressure, trauma, or long periods of adapting to circumstances that required you to survive rather than live.
I offer online therapy across the UK for adults who feel disconnected from themselves and want support to make sense of what has changed, what has been lost, and what may still be possible.
When Loss of Identity Begins to Affect You
You may be considering therapy because something about how you experience yourself no longer feels familiar or stable.
You might recognise yourself if:
- You feel disconnected from who you used to be
- Life looks functional on the outside but feels empty or misaligned
- You struggle to recognise your own needs or desires
- You feel stuck, numb, or directionless
- You’re questioning your purpose, values, or sense of meaning
These experiences are not a personal failure. They are often a response to prolonged pressure, loss, or change.
Work, Career & Role Loss
For many people, work provides structure, identity, and a sense of value. When this changes, identity can be deeply affected.
This may include:
- Redundancy or job loss
- Forced career change
- Burnout
-Retirement
-Loss of professional status or confidence
-Becoming unable to work due to health or circumstances
You may feel grief, shame, or uncertainty about your worth outside of productivity. Therapy offers space to explore these feelings without judgement and to begin redefining yourself beyond role or function.
Life Transitions, Ageing & Midlife Change
Certain life stages naturally prompt reflection, but they can also bring disorientation and loss.
You may be navigating:
- Midlife transitions
- Ageing
- Becoming less visible or valued
- Realising life has not unfolded as expected
- A growing sense that old goals or identities no longer fit
Therapy can help you process these transitions, acknowledge what has been lost, and explore what still feels meaningful now.
Trauma, Shock & Prolonged Survival
Trauma can disrupt how you experience yourself and the world.
This may involve:
- Childhood trauma or emotional neglect
- Abuse or unsafe relationships
- Sudden loss or life-altering events
- Long periods spent in survival mode
You may feel fragmented, numb, or unsure who you are beyond coping. Therapy provides a steady space to reconnect with yourself safely, at a pace that respects what you’ve been through.
The Impact of Quiet, Accumulated Losses
Not all identity loss is dramatic. Some of the deepest losses happen gradually.
This can include:
- Years of putting yourself last
- Repeated compromises or adaptations
- Slowly letting go of parts of yourself
- Living in ways that no longer feel authentic
- Losing access to joy, curiosity, or creativity
These experiences are often hard to name, but they matter. Therapy offers space to notice what has faded and consider what you want to reclaim or reimagine.
How Therapy Can Support You
My approach is:
- Person-centred
- Trauma-informed
- Reflective and collaborative
Therapy is not about returning to an earlier version of yourself or forcing clarity where none exists yet. It is about making sense of what has happened, understanding how it has shaped you, and exploring who you are becoming now.
Sessions are paced carefully and shaped around your capacity, allowing insight and change to develop without pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Identity Loss & Change
Is losing your sense of identity a mental health problem?
Not necessarily. Loss of identity is often a response to change, loss, or prolonged pressure. Therapy helps you understand and work with this experience rather than pathologising it.
Do I need to know what I want before starting therapy?
No. Many people begin therapy feeling unclear, disconnected, or unsure. Therapy can help you explore these questions safely, without needing immediate answers.
Can identity loss happen even if life looks “fine” from the outside?
Yes. Many people experiencing identity loss are functioning, responsible, and outwardly coping. Therapy provides space to explore what isn’t visible to others.
Is online therapy effective for this kind of work?
Yes. Online therapy can offer consistency, privacy, and space for reflection, particularly when you are navigating internal change or uncertainty.
Book a Free Introductory Call
If you’re feeling disconnected from yourself and unsure how to move forward, I offer a free, no-obligation introductory call.
This gives you space to:
- Talk about what feels lost or unclear
- Ask questions about therapy
- See whether working together feels right
👉 You don’t need to have it all figured out.
👉 You deserve support while you make sense of change.
