Life Transitions Counseling,PLLC

03/02/2026

Have you ever been in a relationship where the connection felt amazing…
and then suddenly distant?

One day you feel close.
The next day something shifts.
You can’t quite explain it, but you feel it.

You start wondering what you did.
You try a little harder.
You become a little more careful.

And when the warmth comes back, you feel relieved.

That relief feels so good.

There’s actually a reason for that.

When affection is unpredictable -warm, then distant, then warm again, it can pull us in even more deeply. It works a little like a slot machine. You don’t win every time. But when you do, the reward feels powerful.

That pattern is called intermittent reinforcement.

It doesn’t mean you’re weak.
It means your nervous system is wired for connection.

If this feels familiar, please know you’re not alone and there’s nothing wrong with you.

Understanding the pattern is the first step toward stepping out of it.

02/28/2026

This is the quiet tension many women live in long before anyone else knows something is wrong.

Divorce is not just a legal decision. It disrupts identity, stability, family dynamics, and your sense of self.

You can be strong and still feel completely destabilized.

This spring I am holding space for a small group of women navigating divorce- before, during, or after.

Divorce, Relationships and Rebuilding You begins March 23.

If you or someone you know may benefit, email me directly at
debra@lifetransitionschicago.com

02/25/2026

After talking about blame shifting this week, I keep coming back to something simple.

Healthy connection might not always be easy but it feels steady.

You don’t feel rushed to fix it.
You don’t feel pressured to prove yourself.
You don’t feel like you’re constantly defending your memory.

Confusion, on the other hand, often comes with urgency.
A need to explain.
A need to repair something you didn’t break.

Clarity feels calm.

If you’ve been living in urgency instead of calm, it’s worth paying attention to that.

02/23/2026

You can look composed and still feel completely undone inside.

Divorce is destabilizing in ways people rarely talk about. You still show up. You still function. You still parent. You still make decisions.

And quietly, you wonder who you are now.

Rebuilding isn’t loud. It’s layered. It takes courage and steadiness.

This spring I’m holding space for a small, curated group of women who are before, during, or after divorce and navigating exactly that.

Divorce, Relationships and Rebuilding You.

If this resonates, feel free to reach out.

02/20/2026

Confusion in a relationship usually isn’t random.

It builds slowly.

Blame shifting is one of the ways it happens.

The story changes.
Responsibility moves.
And before you realize it, you’re apologizing for things that aren’t yours.

You start questioning your memory.
Your tone.
Your reactions.

That isn’t healthy communication.
That’s a pattern.

02/16/2026

I’m opening a new group this spring called Divorce, Relationships & Rebuilding You.

If you are somewhere between staying and leaving, in the middle of a divorce, or legally finished but quietly asking yourself who you are now, this may be for you.

Divorce is rarely just legal. It touches identity, confidence, parenting, finances, friendships, and the way you experience yourself in relationships.

Seven years ago, I went through my own divorce. In my work as a relational therapist, I sit with women navigating this transition every day. What I know is this: you do not simply end a marriage. You dismantle a version of your life and then have to build something new.

This is not an open support circle. It is a guided eight week intensive that combines structured teaching with confidential discussion in a curated group of eight women.

We will explore attachment styles, long standing relationship patterns, building a strong divorce team, supporting children through transition, dating thoughtfully when ready, and learning how to be alone without feeling lonely.

The group begins Monday, March 23, 2026 at 7 PM and meets for eight 75 minute live Zoom sessions.

The investment for the full eight week program is 1400 dollars.

Participation is by application so I can intentionally create a balanced and cohesive group of women at different stages of the process who can genuinely support one another.

To request an application, email me directly at debra@lifetransitionschicago.com.

02/15/2026

02/12/2026

Following emotional manipulation, the most daunting task isn’t departure. It’s rediscovering self-confidence. Practicing self-compassion for your resilience. Learning to trust your inner voice once more.

02/10/2026

Healthy relationships may involve misunderstanding at times, but they don’t repeatedly leave you doubting yourself.

If confusion has become familiar, it’s worth paying attention to what your experience is trying to tell you.

02/07/2026

This sums it up nicely. It really is about taking a step back, reconnecting with oneself, recognizing one's strengths, and starting the healing work.

02/07/2026

02/07/2026

If you are a man going through a divorce, please check out this webinar that was filled with divorce professionals with the focus on issues specific to men

This is the recording of a webinar we hosted meant for men going through a divorce. Our panel includes: Debra Alper, therapist, David Heiman, Divorce Attorne...