TRANSITIONS                                                 

On September 11, 2001 the American people and the free world experienced a cultural transition.  How did you handle it?  Did you notice those around  you handled it in different ways? What did you tell your children? Did you feel angry, disorientated or unable to focus?

Have you experienced a personal transition in the last year?

Did you move, lose a job, receive a promotion, leave home, get married or divorced? How did you handle your transition?

It is impossible to move through life without experiencing some kind of transition. Interestingly enough, whether or not it is of our choosing, it usually affects us. Obtaining a promotion at work can be just as stressful as a breakup of a relationship. Our ability to handle transitions is developed in the early childhood years and determines how active or passive we are in these situations. Do you feel in control when experiencing a transition?

William Bridges, author of the book Transitions, describes three stages of transitions. The first is "Endings." This stage frequently embodies losses as well as significant potential for positive new growth. The second stage is the "Neutral Zone," feeling "disconnected from the past and emotionally unconnected to the present." It may take some time to reorient oneself from this ungrounded period. Effective strategies such as building on positive experiences and skills, journaling, exploring future needs and goals, as well as self-soothing activities helps to find meaning at this time. The third stage is "The New Beginning." New solutions, opportunities or goals may evolve as a result of adjusting and adapting our new ideas and views.

Working through transitions takes skill and motivation. Transitions often take us out of our "zone of safety" into uncharted territory. Working through the uncertainties of new experiences takes courage. Learning to adapt to changes in our lives determines how we deal with the challenges and opportunities life has to offer. When one ventures out of  the  "comfort zone,"  experiences are allowed to influence and improve the quality of living.                                        

© EILEEN H. GLENN September 16, 2001

Goddess Note: Eileen H. Glenn, M.A., LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She hold a Master's Degree in Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Ms. Glenn has a private practice in Evanston, Illinois, specializing in short term, Cognitive-Behavioral therapy and EMDR for individuals and couples.

Eileen Glenn Website:   http://www.eglenn.com 

EMDR Website:http://www.emdr.com

Information Link on  Post Tramatic Stress Disorder:

http://www.ivillagehealth.com/library/onemed/content/0,7064,241012_245682,00.html

*EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and is a valuable tool in processing trauma as well as anxiety, depression, complicated grief, stress reduction as well as many other issues and was developed by Dr. Francis Shapiro. Dr. Shapiro states, " Often when something traumatic happens, it seems to get locked in the nervous system with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings and so on. Since the experience is locked there, it continues to be triggered whenever a reminder comes up. It can be the basis for a lot of discomfort and sometimes a lot of negative emotions, such as fear and helplessness that we can't seem to control. These are really the emotions connected with the old experiences that are being triggered. The eye movements ... (or bilateral stimulation with audio sounds). seem to unlock the nervous system and allow your brain to process the experience....(similar to REM sleep). The important thing to remember is that it is your own brain that will be doing the healing, and that you are the one in control."

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