Retirement Transition Coaching
I help growth‑oriented professionals in their 50s and 60s who are nearing or in retirement move beyond anxiety and uncertainty about the future to create a rich, meaningful next chapter they genuinely love. You want more than just “staying busy” — you want purpose, joy, and emotional well‑being in this next chapter.
Is This You?
You might be a good fit for retirement coaching if:
- You’re a high‑achieving professional who’s always had a clear role — and retirement feels strangely unmooring.
- You feel a mix of excitement and anxiety as you think about aging and leaving your professional identity.
- You’re worried about “wasting” this chapter or looking back with regret.
- You want space to think deeply and honestly about what you really want, not just what’s expected or what peers are doing.
You’ve worked so hard for so long. You've saved the financial resources you need. Now you get to decide how you’ll spend the precious days and years ahead.
What Will Your Next Chapter Be About?
Maybe you have no idea yet. Maybe you have lots of ideas — but no real clarity. There are so many decisions and choices to make. Research shows that most people spend more time planning a two‑week vacation than they do planning their retirement.
When you’re finally freed from work, how will your days line up with your passions and values?
Most retirement planning focuses on the financial side, which is important — but it often overlooks things that are just as essential for fulfillment:
- Your purpose and identity
- Your relationships and community
- Your day‑to‑day lifestyle and well‑being
These can be hard questions to answer. And we humans tend to avoid what is hard.
What about the dreams and interests that have been sidelined for years — or the ones you haven’t even imagined yet?
How Coaching Can Help You Plan Your Transition
That’s where I come in.
I specialize in helping with the non-financial parts of retirement transitions. I can help you navigate it all — whether you’re getting close to retirement or already retired and not feeling as fulfilled as you’d hoped.
Our work is not just about planning your time; it’s about easing the anxiety of this transition and helping you feel grounded, purposeful, and genuinely hopeful about what’s ahead.
Our online coaching conversations help you cut through the fog and design a plan. You’ll give yourself dedicated time to think, feel, and explore. We use coaching tools, assessments, positive psychology, and mindfulness approaches to help you chart a path toward well‑being in retirement.
My aim is to help you create a next chapter that excites you — and steers you away from regretting missed opportunities later on.
Who Are My Clients?
My clients come from many paths of life — professionals in corporate, non‑profit, and government settings; U.S. diplomats and foreign service staff; empty‑nest parents; and more. Some are planning ahead for retirement; others are already retired.
What they have in common is a strong commitment and drive to grow and build a fulfilling next chapter for themselves.
About Me ~ Your Coach
I’m Susan Maguire — a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and licensed therapist who specializes in helping growth‑oriented professionals design a fulfilling life in retirement.
I work with men and women in their 50s and 60s who are nearing or already in retirement and want this next chapter to feel meaningful and alive — not anxious, aimless, or small.
My coaching approach is unique because I blend decades of transition coaching with clinical depth as a clinical social worker/therapist. While coaching is future‑focused, structured, and supportive, I also understand the emotional undercurrents of leaving a long professional identity and navigating the losses and changes that can come with this transition.
Background & Expertise
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coach Federation
- Transition Coach & Counselor, U.S. Dept. of State / Foreign Service, Job Search Transition Program (since 2011)
- Member, Retirement Coaches Association (RCA)
- Certified Professional Retirement Coach (CPRC), The Retirement Project
- “Now What?” Program Facilitator — 90‑day coaching program to help people discover their life direction
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC
A Note about Coaching vs. Therapy
I’m both a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and keep these two services distinct.
Coaching
- Focuses on goals, direction, structure, and accountability
- Helps you design the future and take action
- Is typically shorter‑term and future‑oriented
Therapy
- Focuses on emotional healing and mental health concerns (such as anxiety or depression)
- Helps you understand yourself more deeply and work through past and present issues
- Involves deeper clinical work
We’ll decide together which is the best fit for you before we begin. I provide clients with either coaching or therapy, not both at the same time, and I’m happy to offer referrals as needed.
If you’re seeking support specifically for anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, you can learn more about my therapy work under the “Therapy Services” tab.
Let’s Connect
If you’re curious about whether retirement coaching is right for you, we can explore that together.
Schedule a free 15‑minute Discovery Call to discuss where you are now and how coaching can help you move toward a next chapter you genuinely look forward to.
Complete the CONTACT FORM below OR call 703-962-6022.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does retirement coaching work?
My retirement coaching program is three months long, with two hours of coaching per month and support/communication in between. Sessions are 1‑on‑1 via Zoom or telephone, depending on your preference. Your coaching is completely tailored to you, your situation, and your goals. The program investment is $1,500. Individual coaching sessions are also available for $275.
Is there work to do between sessions?
Yes. Prep work, assessments, follow‑up reading, or tasks between sessions are part of the program. You can expect to spend from one to a few hours each week on your coaching goals, depending on your pace. Questions, shares, or accountability check‑ins between sessions are available via email.
What happens after the initial 3‑month coaching program?
After the initial three months, additional coaching is available in individual sessions or in packages for cost savings, depending on the level of support you’d like to continue.
What makes your coaching approach unique when it comes to the retirement transition?
As both a Professional Certified Coach and a licensed therapist, I bring deep experience in life transitions and retirement. I’ve worked with hundreds of professionals as a retirement and transition counselor for the U.S. Department of State since 2011, combining emotional insight with practical, structured support.
Is coaching the same as therapy?
No. Coaching and therapy are two different approaches. Coaching is focused on goals, planning, and accountability, and is generally short‑term and future‑oriented. Therapy focuses on mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression and helps people understand themselves and work through issues that may be holding them back. I provide either coaching or therapy, not both at once, and can refer you to other qualified professionals if needed.