Adjustment Difficulties

What are adjustment difficulties?

Adjustment difficulties are common and can happen when life changes faster than we feel ready for. Whether the change is expected or unexpected, big or small, it can take time for our mind and body to catch up. Most of us might feel a little stressed or stretched, but manage ok and are able to cope with our changes. However when this process feels overwhelming it can affect daily life, relationships, and overall wellbeing.Sometimes, we might experience adjustment difficulties in the wake of sudden grief or loss. Understanding what adjustment difficulties look like can help you recognise when extra support may be useful. We offer counselling in Footscray and our psychologists service the Western suburbs of Melbourne.

Seeking help early if you feel like you are struggling can make a significant difference. Our clinicians can support you through the emotional challenges of change and offer evidence‑based care tailored to your needs. Our psychologists in Footscray practice from a trauma-informed framework to support you, please contact us to find out more.

Adjustment Disorder

Adjustment Disorder is the clinical name given to difficulties adjusting to a change that are considered more pronounced or that create clinically significant distress. It’s a short-term, stress-related condition and symptoms include things like anxiety or sadness. Often an Adjustment Disorder goes away on it’s own as we adjust to our new circumstances, but if it doesn’t or it feels too overwhleming to manage by yourself, it might be time to reach out.

Adjustment Disorder can share similiar symptoms with those of anxiety, depression or stress. There are several treatments that have a good evidence-base and are proven to help. While the particular treatment your psychologist may do will depend on your personal case, therapies that might help include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy or Dialectical Behavioural Therapy.

Common signs include:

Feeling overwhelmed — struggling to cope with changes that once felt manageable
Changes in mood — increased sadness, irritability, worry, or frustration
Sleep difficulties — trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking unrefreshed
Loss of motivation — finding it hard to start tasks or enjoy activities
Physical tension — headaches, muscle tightness, or fatigue
Social withdrawal — pulling away from friends, family, or usual routines

Common causes include:

Life transitions — starting a new job, moving house, becoming a parent
Relationship changes — break‑ups, conflict, or shifts in family dynamics
Health challenges — illness, injury, or changes in physical ability
Work or study pressure — increased workload, exams, or performance expectations
Unexpected events — accidents, sudden changes, or loss
Financial stress — changes in income or unexpected expenses

So, what can I do?

Adjustment difficulties can be a natural response to change, and a reminder that you’re human navigating something new. With the right support, most people find their balance again and begin to feel more grounded and capable in navigating current and potential challenges.

Our clinicians can help you understand what you’re experiencing, build practical coping strategies, and feel more confident navigating life’s changes. Please get in touch with us to find a psychologist in Melbourne who is a good fit. We have a range of helpful therapies that can help.

We have Medicare rebate psychologists available, and we offer telehealth psychologists, Workcover psychologists and TAC psychologists.

Psychology FAQs

Have a question? Take a look below… these are some of the common questions we get.

No referral is needed to book a session, but if you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you might be eligible for Medicare rebates.

Yep, life happens! Just give us at least 48 hours’ notice so we can offer that spot to someone else. Cancellations within 48 hours will incur a fee.

We don’t usually offer instalment plans, but if money’s tight, chat with us privately – we’re happy to see how we can find a solution.

The Medicare rebates are listed above, but if you on WorkCover, TAC or VOCAT the gap fees tend to be lower. With private insurance, we find they tend to be on-par with Medicare rebates. We can help you understand what’s covered and what your gap fee will be – just ask us when booking.

No worries! You can book on their behalf, just make sure you have their consent and relevant details to help our intake process.

Ready to talk?

Please get in touch today to have a chat to our friendly team so we can match you with an appropriate psychologist. If you are an existing client, you can book online.

New clients Existing client portal