Identity Issues
You might feel like parts of you don’t quite fit together anymore. What used to feel clear now feels uncertain. Roles that once made sense do not quite sit right. You might find yourself wondering how you got here, or who you’re becoming.
There’s nothing wrong with you.
Questioning your identity doesn’t mean you’re broken. It often means you’re growing, changing, and trying to make sense of where you are now.
What are identity issues?
Identity issues involve confusion, uncertainty, or distress about who you are, how you see yourself, or where you belong. This may relate to values, roles, culture, relationships, gender, sexuality, career, or purpose.
Identity is not fixed. It evolves across life stages. Problems arise when changes feel destabilising, overwhelming, or disconnected from your sense of self.
You are not “losing yourself.” You are simply navigating change.
What are common signs of identity issues?
Emotional and Psychological Signs
Identity struggles often show up internally before they are spoken aloud.
Common signs include:
Behavioural Signs
Identity confusion can influence how you act and relate.
You may notice:
Relational Signs
Identity issues often affect relationships.
These may include:
When do identity issues show up?
1. Life Transitions
Identity questions commonly arise during periods of change.
Examples include:
- Adolescence and early childhood
- Career changes
- Parenthood
- Relationship breakdowns
- Menopause or ageing
Transitions challenge old identities and require adjustment.
2. Cultural or Social Shifts
Identity issues may arise when navigating multiple cultural expectations, migration or minority identities.
You may feel pulled between different versions of yourself.
3. After Loss or Trauma
Significant experiences can disrupt how you see yourself.
Trauma, illness, or loss may force a re-evaluation of meaning, safety and self worth.
What causes identity issues?
1. Developmental Factors
Identity formation is part of normal psychological development.
Unresolved developmental challenges can make identity feel unstable later in life.
2. Attachment and Relationships
Early relationships shape how you see yourself.
Inconsistent, critical, or emotional unavailable caregiving can affect identity development and self-worth (Bowlby, 1988).
3. Trauma and Chronic Stress
Trauma can fragment identity
You may define yourself through survival roles rather than personal values.
Identity issues often develop in response to relational and emotional experiences.
When To Seek Help
You may want to reach out for support if you have or feel:
- Identity confusion causes distress
- You feel disconnected from yourself
- Decision-making feels paralysing
- Relationships feel draining or unsafe
If you have been experiencing these symptoms for over a month and they interfere with your daily life, therapy can help.
However, it is important to note you do not need to wait for it to get worse or reach a month to reach out; early intervention makes a big difference!
How Can Us Help You?
At Us, we understand that healing from these traumas is not a standard method; we work to provide you with a safe, non-judgmental space to process your experiences and work towards recovery.
With the help of the DSM-5, clinicians will review the criteria to check whether your circumstances meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.
However, even if an individual does not meet the exact criteria for a diagnosis, they can still receive treatment for their symptoms. We work alongside evidence-based techniques and will collaborate with you to determine what works best for you and your unique journey.
Experienced Therapists
Our processes and quality assurance is led by Dr.Emma Waddington, a UK-trained senior clinician psychologist and Founder of Us Therapy, with over 20+ years of experience in helping individuals in Singapore.
Holistic & Personalised Approach
Our clinicians draw from various therapeutic models to create a holistic approach. At Us, we have seen hundreds of clients and we recognise that each individual is unique. Our approach is tailored to you but always includes customised treatment plans and integrative techniques.
Thorough Assessment
At Us, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive assessment processes. We will undergo a thorough assessment process with you in your first sessions before we come up with a plan for your therapy.
Our Therapists
Therapy Approaches
1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on how beliefs shape identity and behaviour.
How it works:
You identify unhelpful self-beliefs and develop more balanced perspectives.
Benefits:
- Reduces self-criticism
- Builds confidence in decision-making
- Supports identity stability
2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT focuses on values and psychological flexibility
How it works:
You learn to accept internal experiences while committing to actions aligned with personal values.
Benefits:
- Clarifies what matters to you
- Reduces internal conflict
- Supports authentic living
3. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy supports exploration of identity, meaning and emotional patterns.
How it works:
You explore your experiences, roles and internal narratives in a reflective space.
Benefits:
- Greater self-understanding
- Improved emotional clarity
- Stronger sense of self
What To Expect
Initial Consultation – A Space to Be Heard
The first session is all about getting to know you. It is a conversation—one where you can share what is been on your mind, what has been feeling difficult, and what you would like support with. Your therapist will ask questions about your background, experiences, and goals, but there is no pressure to answer any questions—just a safe space to begin.
Questionnaires & Onboarding Surveys – Understanding the Full Picture
To help tailor therapy to your needs, you may be asked to fill out some brief questionnaires before or after your first session. These can give insight into things like mood, stress levels, relationship patterns, or coping strategies. They are not tests—just tools to help your therapist understand how best to support you.
Individual Therapy Sessions – Your Journey at Your Own Pace
Each session is a step forward in your journey. Therapy is not just about talking—it is about discovering new ways to navigate life’s challenges, make sense of emotions, and feel like you are getting the most out of your life. Depending on your needs, sessions may focus on:
- Exploring patterns of thought and behavior
- Understanding past experiences and their impact on the present
- Developing practical coping tools
- Strengthening emotional resilience
Feedback Sessions – Reflecting and Adjusting
After the first few sessions (or after assessments), a feedback session provides space to reflect on how therapy is going. This is a chance to talk about what has been helpful, what you would like more of, and how therapy can continue to best serve you.
Intervention – The Heart of Therapy
Intervention is where meaningful change happens. Every therapy journey is unique, and the approach will be shaped around what works best for you. Some common approaches include:
🌱 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helping to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, reduce anxiety, and develop healthier ways to cope and new patterns of behaviour.
🧠 Schema Therapy – Deep, transformational work to uncover long-standing patterns that might be keeping you stuck, often rooted in early life experiences.
💙 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Learning to handle difficult emotions with self-compassion and move towards what truly matters in life.
🌊 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – A powerful approach for healing trauma and distressing memories, helping the brain reprocess them in a way that feels less overwhelming.
🧘 Mindfulness-Based Approaches – Building self-awareness, grounding techniques, and ways to manage stress and emotions with greater ease.
Fees
Individual Counselling Rates
Clinician type
Fees and Duration
Clinic Founder
$325
Principal Psychologist
$305
Senior Clinical Psychologist
$277
Educational Psychologist
$277
Clinical Psychologist
$251
Senior Counsellor
$251
Counsellor
$185
Associate Counsellor
$120
Phone calls / Emails
Clinicians rate pro-rata (10 Mins)
FAQs About Identity Issues
Is it normal to question my identity?
Yes. Identity questioning is a normal part of growth, especially during life transitions.
What is an example of an identity problem?
Feeling unsure of your values, losing your sense of self in relationships, or feeling disconnected from who you are.
What is the difference between an identity crisis and normal confusion?
Normal confusion is temporary. An identity crisis causes significant distress or disruption to daily functioning.
Can trauma affect my sense of identity?
Yes. Trauma can fragment identity and shape self-beliefs around safety and worth (van der Kolk, 2014).
How can therapy help my identity issues?
Therapy helps you explore your experiences, clarify values, and build a stable sense of self over time.