When Life Shifts: Coping with Change and the Grief We Didn’t Expect

Stephanie Strouth • August 3, 2025

Making Room for Growth When Life Turns Unexpected

Change can hit us like a wave. Sometimes it's refreshing, sometimes overwhelming, and often, completely outside of our control. Whether it’s a career transition, a relationship ending, a move, or a health diagnosis, change has a way of stirring up emotional responses that feel oddly familiar. That’s because major life changes often mirror the stages of grief.

Just like we grieve a loss, we can grieve the life we expected to have. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, with offices in Wise, Abingdon, and Pennington Gap, VA, we often help clients understand that what they’re feeling isn’t just frustration or anxiety. It's grief.

The Stages of Grief and Change
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance — weren’t just meant for losing loved ones. They apply to the emotional rollercoaster of unwanted change:

Denial: “This isn’t really happening.” We may try to push change away or pretend it won’t last.

Anger: “Why is this happening to me?” This often turns into blame — of others, ourselves, or even life itself.

Bargaining: “If I just work harder, maybe things can go back to how they were.” We look for ways to control the uncontrollable.

Depression: “What’s the point?” We begin to feel the weight of the loss, even if it’s just the loss of certainty.

Acceptance: “It’s happening, and I can move forward.” This is when we begin to make peace with our new reality.

This framework helps explain why a life transition, like starting medication for anxiety, beginning depression counseling, or adjusting to a new role, can feel so deeply emotional. We're not just reacting to the change itself, but to the loss of the expectations and identity that came before it.

5 Ways to Cope with Unwanted Change
Whether you're navigating the aftermath of a divorce, struggling with a sudden diagnosis, or starting a new phase of life you didn’t ask for, here are five practical ways to manage:

1. Acknowledge What You’re Feeling
Name your emotions without judgment. Are you sad? Angry? Numb? Confused? All of these are valid responses. Avoiding your feelings won’t make them disappear. It just delays healing.

2. Get Grounded in Routine
When everything feels uncertain, structure can help. Keep small daily routines, whether it’s your morning coffee ritual, a walk after dinner, or weekly therapy in Wise or Abingdon. Familiar patterns offer stability.

3. Reach Out, Don’t Isolate
Talk to people you trust. Counseling is especially helpful when you feel stuck in a loop of grief or anxiety. We see this often in anxiety counseling. Connection creates clarity. If you're in the area, Anchoring Hope Counseling in Abingdon offers both traditional therapy and medication management for deeper support.

4. Focus on What You Can Control
When change takes over one part of life, zoom in on areas you still influence. Your boundaries, your attitude, and your self-care all matter. Even making decisions about what time you go to bed can restore a sense of autonomy.

5. Adjust Your Expectations
Change doesn’t just challenge our routines. It challenges our internal narrative. Maybe life doesn’t look like you thought it would, but that doesn’t mean it’s ruined. Growth often begins in the space where expectations fall away.

A Final Thought
Change can feel like a loss, but it can also be a beginning. You don’t have to rush to feel okay. You don’t have to skip straight to acceptance. But you do deserve support while you figure it out.

Whether you're seeking depression counseling, help with medication management in Abingdon, or a safe space to process the unexpected, we're here for you.

You may not have chosen this change. But you can choose how you grow from it.

Anchoring Hope Counseling offers trauma-informed care, flexible scheduling, and a compassionate team of providers across Wise, Abingdon, and Pennington Gap, VA. Ready to talk? We’re ready to listen.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

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From Overwhelmed to Empowered, We’ll Help You Get There

You don’t have to navigate life’s chaos alone. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, we guide individuals across Virginia, just like you, who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving. Whether you're seeking therapy, mental health medication, or simply a fresh start, we’re here to help you reconnect with your most authentic self and reclaim your peace of mind.


We Have Physical Locations in Abingdon, Pennington Gap, & Wise, Virginia.

You’re Not Alone, Let’s Start Healing, Together.

What If Peace Wasn’t Just Possible, But Within Reach?

When life feels chaotic or heavy, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are and what you need. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, we meet you exactly where you are, without judgment, and help you reconnect with your strength, clarity, and self-worth.

Whether you're struggling with anxiety, trauma, relationships, or simply feeling stuck, we offer personalized care that empowers you to take control, feel grounded, and move forward with purpose.

You don’t have to do this alone. Let us walk beside you.

  • We Accept Most Insurances (Not Medicaid/Medicare)

    We accept Anthem, United/Optum, Cigna, and Aetna (plans through an employer, family member, or marketplace).  If you check your insurance portal to see if we accept your insurance, we may not show up on that directory. We do use insurance for individual sessions, but not for true couples/family therapy. If you wish to check your benefits prior to scheduling, you may complete a profile HERE. Call us at 276-298-5034 if you have additional questions. We also provide counseling at a private pay rate and can check your out-of-network benefits for policies we are not in network with. Unfortunately, Medicaid/Medicare does not have out-of-network benefits and will only pay for in-network providers. We are NOT in network with Medicaid/Medicare. 

  • 24/7 Support with Our Exclusive Mental Health App

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  • Comprehensive Care with On-Site & Virtual Medication Management

    Now offering psychiatric medication services through our compassionate board-certified PMHNP, available in-person in Abingdon and Wise, and by telehealth for clients across Virginia, including Pennington clients. Whether you're exploring treatment for anxiety, depression, ADHD, or trauma, you’ll receive personalized care that puts your voice first—never rushed, always respected.

  • A Truly Holistic Approach to Mental Health

    From Soundbed sessions and local wellness discounts to counseling, supervision, and engaging seminars, our services go beyond the norm. We care for the whole person, mind, body, and spirit, so you can experience lasting change, not just temporary relief.

10,000+

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of Clients Achieved Their Goals

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Exclusive Benefits for Your Holistic Well-Being

As part of our commitment to your overall well-being, we offer more than just counseling and medication management. Enjoy exclusive perks like free access to our Anchoring Hope app, discounts with our trusted partners, and savings on transformative Soundbed sessions. We believe in a holistic approach to care, ensuring that you receive a truly unique and enriching experience every step of the way.

Perks to Support Your Journey

We understand that true healing involves more than just the time spent in session. That's why we provide our clients with awesome extras designed to enhance your overall experience. From tools to manage everyday stress to special offers that promote relaxation and wellness, our perks are crafted to meet your unique needs. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, we’re here to ensure that your path to well-being is as smooth and supportive as possible. With us, you have access to:


  • In-house mental health medication management services
  • Free access to our Anchoring Hope app for coping skills
  • Special discounts with our trusted partner companies
  • Savings on relaxing Soundbed sessions


Our perks are designed to complement your counseling journey, providing additional tools and resources to help you achieve lasting peace and balance.


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