I am drawn to therapy approaches that are based on holistic concepts of self, and that convey an inclusiveness. There are an infinite number of ways to achieve happiness and fulfillment in life.
I believe in the infinite capacities of human perceptions; we are only limited by our own perceptions of limits and our acceptance of them. Learning and change can be painful, but are necessary for growth, and growth is what helps us keep up with the demands of a constantly changing environment.
Below you will find some thoughts and information about specific issues that you might be dealing with at this time.
There are big life transition that coincide with stages and ages in life, like starting a career, marriage, the birth or adoption of a child, mid-life, empty nest, and retirement. Yet, there are also many smaller transitions at every level of these stages, and you might encounter more unpredictable transitions like the death of a family member or close friend, or the end of a romantic relationship.
Often you might not know that you are in a state of transition. You just know that you are not feeling quite right and things are not flowing well in your life. You might feel stuck, lost, depressed, and/or angry for no obvious reason.
Transitions are part of life, and they offer great opportunities for change. Yet, most people go through them without much awareness. Some of the obstacles that people face are:
Bringing awareness to transitions and identifying what stage of life one is in are helpful processes to resolve stressful issues.
In the following, I will highlight two major life transitions for women: pregnancy/postpartum and the midlife transition of perimenopause/menopause.
Bearing new life is an overwhelming experience to most women. The times of pregnancy and postpartum are filled with emotional upheaval, physical changes, a barrage of opinions and advice from others (family, friends, doctors, and yes, even strangers), and societal pressures. The woman’s reaction to all of these changes and influences lives in her and her child’s body. Unspoken or not worked through emotions have the most negative impact on the next generation. The hormonal changes of this major transition amplify any emotion that is felt, if it is happiness or sadness, calmness or anxiety. A further obstacle during these times are our societal tendency to rush through transitions. Pregnancy is a time to pause and take in what is being created. After the birth of the child, postpartum — also called the fourth trimester — offers the task is to acknowledge this creation, rest and digest the process, and assess how being a mother fits into one’s life. Yet, often the pull between the mother’s inner needs and those of the outer world can turn into a struggle. Not being able to resolve these conflicts can contribute to postpartum depression. Mother’s can prepare themselves to avoid these pitfalls by setting up support systems in advance.
The midlife transition of perimenopause and menopause, offers a different kind of birth. The rebirth of a woman’s body, mind, and spirit. This opportunity is provided on a psychological and physical level. Women enter once again unknown territory. It is a time to heal unfinished business from the first half of one’s life. Often this can result in reopening or encountering for the first time traumas or deep childhood wounds. Losses need to be acknowledged and grieved. A new self is being created. A woman will redefine who she is and who she is becoming. This can be a very creative and fulfilling stage in a woman’s life. Unprocessed issues from the past, not acknowledging this time of change, refusing to enter this stage of life, and strong mood swings can offer obstacles along the way. This is a predictable major life transition that women can prepare themselves for so that it can be a happy and rich phase of one’s life.
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