Relationships, Life Transitions & Grief Therapy | True North Therapy & Wellness | West Des Moines & Online
Navigating the Shifting Terrain of Connection and Change
No one walks the path alone, and the path rarely stays straight for long. Whether you are struggling to connect with the people in your life or trying to find your footing after a major life change, the landscape can feel disorienting.
We help you find your bearings in the midst of change, ensuring that your next steps are taken with clarity and intention.
Individual Therapy for Relationship Issues
Breaking the Cycle of Old Relational Patterns
Changing the way you show up. Do you feel like you are walking in circles in your relationships? Maybe you find yourself in the same dynamic over and over—playing the role of the “giver” who burns out, or feeling constantly unheard. Often, these aren’t just bad habits; they are learned responses from the past. If you experienced inconsistency or hurt in early relationships, your system may have learned to “fawn” (people-please) or “protect” (shut down) to stay safe.
The Goal: We help you understand the “maps” you were handed (your attachment patterns) and heal the relational wounds driving them. We give you the confidence to communicate your needs and build connections where you don’t have to lose yourself to be loved.
Support for Major Life Transitions
Finding Your Bearings in New Territory
“Who am I now?” A job loss, a medical diagnosis, a divorce—or even “good” changes like a new baby or retirement—can completely alter your landscape. One day you knew the path, and the next, the terrain shifted, leaving you feeling disoriented, anxious, or struggling to keep up with daily demands. This isn’t just “stress”; it’s a disruption. When the ground shakes, it impacts your sleep, your mood, and your ability to show up for your life. You might feel weighed down by decision fatigue or simply exhausted by the effort of trying to recalibrate.
The Goal: We help you stabilize in the midst of the storm. We provide the tools to manage the feelings related to the change, process the grief of what was left behind, so you can function confidently in this new reality.
Grief Counseling & Bereavement Support
Honoring the Landscape of Loss
Finding solid ground after the earth shakes. Grief can be one of the loneliest experiences in life. Whether it’s a death, a breakup, or a dream that faded, the ground beneath you can feel unstable.
Society often rushes us to “get over it,” but we know there is no “right way” to grieve.
The Goal: We provide a safe space to honor your loss without the pressure to “move on.” We walk alongside you as you process the pain, helping you find solid ground in your new reality so you can move forward—carrying the love and lessons with you.
Charting a Course with Intention
Tools for Connection and Clarity. Navigating relationships and big life changes requires more than just advice; it requires a strong internal compass and a steady hand.
How We Help: We equip you with practical skills to manage the emotional storms, so you don’t get swept away.
For Grief: We use Values-Based work (ACT) help you choose how to hold the loss—finding ways to honor what is gone while caring for the person still walking the path (you).
For Connection: We use Values-Based work to help you decide what kind of partner, parent, or person you want to be, and Attachment-based or trauma interventions so you can stop reacting to the past and start choosing your future.