Whether you’ve been fired abruptly, terminated after a performance improvement plan, or affected by a mass layoff, losing your job can feel like the floor just dropped beneath your feet. One moment, you’re working with colleagues and basing life decisions on a regular paycheck and health insurance. The next, your income, self-worth, community, routine, and imagined future can feel drastically changed. You’re left asking: Who am I without this title, this income, this future – and what’s next? We spoke with Monica Johnson, PsyD, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Kind Mind Psychology, about caring for your mental health after job loss, why you don’t need to rush into your next role, how to make space for difficult emotions, and practical steps to regain a sense of control and direction.

Credits 

• Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
• Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
• Guest: Monica Johnson, PsyD