Articles by Dr. Morgan Ellis
Evidence-based writing on life transitions — grounded in Positive Psychology, Life Design, and 14 years of clinical practice.
How to Rebuild Your Identity After Divorce
Divorce strips away more than a relationship — it dismantles the version of yourself you built around another person. Here's how to find out who you are again.
The 5 Stages of Job Loss Nobody Talks About
We know the stages of grief. But job loss has its own emotional arc — and understanding it is the first step to moving through it with intention.
Grief Isn't Linear: A Life Design Approach to Loss
The five-stage grief model is comforting but misleading. Here's what grief actually looks like — and how Life Design can help you find a path forward.
Career Change After 40: What the Research Actually Says
Contrary to what you've been told, changing careers after 40 is not only possible — research shows it's often more successful than pivots made in your 20s.
Positive Psychology vs. Toxic Positivity: There's a Critical Difference
"Just think positive" is not Positive Psychology. Here's what the science actually says — and why the distinction matters when you're in the middle of a real crisis.
The Stanford Life Design Method: A Practical Guide
Bill Burnett and Dave Evans developed Life Design at Stanford to help people get unstuck. Here's how the framework works — and how to apply it to your own transition.
Why Major Life Transitions Trigger Anxiety (And What to Do)
The anxiety you feel during a major life change isn't a malfunction — it's your nervous system doing exactly what it's supposed to. Here's how to work with it.
Values Clarification: The Exercise That Changes Everything
Most people make major life decisions without ever examining what they actually value. This step-by-step exercise changes that — and gives you a compass for what comes next.
Divorce vs. Separation: What to Consider Before Deciding
The decision to divorce or separate is one of the most consequential you'll make. Here's a framework for thinking it through — not a checklist, but a map.
Finding Meaning After Loss: David Kessler's 6th Stage of Grief
David Kessler — who co-created the original five stages with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross — added a sixth stage: meaning. Here's what that looks like in practice.
How to Get Over a Breakup: A Complete Recovery Guide
How to Get Over a Breakup: A Complete Recovery Guide — expert guidance from Dr. Morgan Ellis, licensed psychologist and Life Design Coach.