Stage 7: Therapy for Middle Adulthood

Group of eight diverse friends in their 40's and 50's taking a selfie outdoors in a sunny field.

Middle adulthood — the years between about 40 and 65 — can feel like a crossroads. Erikson described this stage as Generativity vs. Stagnation. In simple terms, it’s often a time when we ask ourselves: Am I making a difference? Am I building something meaningful?

For many, these are years of balancing a lot — caring for kids, supporting aging parents, navigating career changes, and managing relationships. It’s a time of giving to others, but it can also bring feelings of being stretched thin, stuck, or unsure about what comes next.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy offers a safe place to pause and take stock of your life in the middle years. Some common things our clients explore in this season of life:

  • The stress of juggling multiple responsibilities

  • Transitions in family life — from raising teens to becoming an “empty nester”

  • Shifts in career, goals, or sense of purpose

  • The desire to leave a lasting impact or create something meaningful

  • Feelings of restlessness, burnout, or questioning identity

  • Struggles with emotional regulation due to fears or feelings of depression

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Our Approach

There’s no single “right” way to move through this stage. That’s why we start by listening — to your story, your struggles, and your hopes. From there, therapy becomes a collaborative process. Sometimes it looks like untangling old patterns that feel limiting. Sometimes it’s about creating space to imagine what’s next. And often, it’s simply having someone alongside you who really hears and supports you.

We believe midlife can be a season not just of responsibility, but of possibility. In therapy, we’ll work together to help you reconnect with your values, rediscover your strengths, and move toward a life that feels purposeful, peaceful, and fulfilling.

Why it Matters

Therapy at this stage can help individuals reflect on their purpose, manage life transitions, and maintain balance between giving to others and caring for themselves. It also provides support in navigating challenges such as career shifts, parenting stress, or evolving relationships. By fostering growth, resilience, and a renewed sense of meaning, therapy empowers middle-aged adults to feel fulfilled and continue making positive contributions to the next generation and society as a whole.

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STAGE 8