Brenda is 43 years old and wants to make some life changes. She is unhappy with her career in marketing and with her relationship status. She was divorced five years ago from Robert, whom she met during her senior year of college. They had delayed marriage until after Robert finished medical school, and were married when Brenda was 27. They had discussed having children, but Robert never felt that the time was right.
Even though Brenda feels alone, she is not comfortable dating. She would like to go back to school, but is not sure what career she is interested in. Plus, she has been spending a great deal of time taking care of her aging mother, with whom she has had a strained relationship over the years.
Lately, she has been thinking something is wrong with her. The kind of identity issues she is facing seem more typical of a teenager, not a 43-year-old woman. She is beginning to withdraw and to feel lonely. She feels like she has failed compared to acquaintances who are married, have children, and seem to be enjoying their careers.