So much is changing — including you.
Therapy for navigating life transitions and understanding who you’re becoming along the way.
Life is changing. It’s okay to feel overloaded and unmoored.
A new baby, a career shift, a relationship ending – even the changes we choose can leave us feeling untethered. You expected to feel one way, but instead, you’re feeling everything at once.
It’s confusing to be both heartbroken and relieved, grateful yet mourning, excited but disoriented.
How you might be showing up lately
On a Rollercoaster
Crying more easily, feeling on edge, or shifting rapidly from high to low and back again.
Prickly and Confrontational
Picking fights with the people you love, reacting defensively to feedback, or withdrawing from your relationships.
In a Fog
Struggling to focus or lacking motivation and energy.
Caught in a Loop
Ruminating over social interactions and second-guessing your every move.
Big life changes shake our sense of self.
They unearth parts of us – some new, and some we thought we’d outgrown. These moments challenge the stories we’ve told ourselves about who we are and how the world is “supposed” to work.
You don’t just want to white knuckle your way through this transition.
You want to understand what your reactions are telling you about yourself. You want to respond to what’s happening to you, not just react.
You don’t have to make sense of this on your own.
In our work together, we’ll slow down and look at what’s happening beneath the surface so you can understand your reactions instead of feeling controlled by them. Over time, you’ll feel more grounded, more clear, and more like yourself.
About me
Annah Mackin Applebaum,
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
I help people rewrite their stories in the midst of life’s transitions. I know that big life changes – even the ones we choose – can make us feel like strangers to ourselves. In my work, I focus on helping you understand why you’re reacting the way you are, as well as how to cope. Clients often come to me when they feel stuck between who they were and who they’re becoming.
My Approach
My style is validating and curious. In our sessions, we’ll look at the emotions and reactions showing up in you. We’ll determine how your underlying beliefs and stories inform your feelings. From there, we’ll start updating your beliefs and writing a new story that integrates the insights and experiences you’ve gained through this life transition.
Education and Training
Maternal Mental Health Certificate | Postpartum Support International (PSI) & Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health
Level 1 Trauma Certificate | The Ferentz Institute
EFCT Externship (Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy) | ICEEFT
Master of Arts in Counseling | Marymount University
Bachelor of Arts | College of William & Mary
Services
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I provide 50-minute sessions for adults on a weekly or biweekly basis. My work is focused on helping you find your footing during career shifts, new parenthood, relationship changes, or any season where you feel like a stranger to yourself.
Format: Virtual sessions throughout Virginia
Focus: Identity shifts, anxiety during transitions, and rewriting outdated narratives.
Fees: Sessions are $150.
Insurance: I am in-network with Aetna. For other insurance plans, I can provide you with a "Superbill" (a detailed receipt) that you can submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
Process
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Complete the contact form. I’ll reply via email to schedule a call.
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I offer a free 15-minute phone call to discuss what you’re looking for. I’ll ask a few questions to understand what’s going on and share how I might be able to help.
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If you feel my style is the right fit, we’ll schedule an intake session to begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. I am an in-network provider with Aetna. Navigating benefits can be confusing, so I recommend calling the number on the back of your card to confirm your "outpatient mental health benefits" and any applicable co-pay or deductible.
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If I am not in-network with your specific plan, I can provide you with a "Superbill" (a detailed receipt) that you can submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
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Some people come in for a few months to navigate a specific transition, while others stay longer to do deeper work on their sense of self. We’ll check in regularly to make sure our time together feels useful and aligned with your goals.
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Therapy is a collaborative space. You bring the topics, stories, or challenges on your mind, and I’ll help you dig deeper into them. I’ll ask questions, reflect back what I’m hearing, and offer perspectives you might not have considered. Together, we’ll clarify your experiences and work on shifting your mindset so you can take back control over your reactions.
Get in Touch
Reaching out can be the hardest part of this process. Send me a brief note below, and I’ll get back to you within one business day to schedule a time for us to talk.