What characterizes transitions
There are many transitions in life – a new phase, such as starting university or moving to a new city, pregnancy, the death of a loved one, or a spiritual experience. A major life change brings so much newness that we sometimes no longer know who we are, or the world feels completely different. We have to reorient ourselves. This can feel very nebulous; everything or much of what we have learned no longer holds true.
We create our sense of self from our experiences. This understanding only needs to function for specific situations, a certain environment, etc. In a new environment or a completely new situation, we might not know what to do. If we feel enough inner security and it is not too much newness, we can learn to cope, and our self-understanding gradually changes. However, there are situations where so much newness acts upon us that we cannot familiarize ourselves with the changes at our own pace. As a result, our image of self and world is turned upside down. We can then fall into a deep crisis that throws our emotions and body into disarray.
Safe spaces are important for transitions, where we can explore this newly forming self. It is a matter of looking at what still holds, what we want to let go of, and what new things there are to explore. Moving at one’s own pace, finding the stability that is still there, and moving forward from there to find new stability. This is so important so that we do not overwhelm ourselves and can engage with this new path at all.
Transitions and Trauma
Trauma reduces our general capacity, and thus also the capacity to deal with new situations. Often, trust in oneself, other people, and the world is impaired. Instead of curiously and presently exploring the new, my body might react with fight, flight, or freeze. Underlying this, there may be a feeling of helplessness. Every new project, every situation that could cause rejection, is significantly harder and more challenging when my trust is impaired and I have to withstand the automatic impulses of fight, flight, or giving up. It can be like a pair of glasses that distorts the situation without me noticing. Thus, resources may remain unseen or cannot be used.
In this sense, trauma has a significant influence on how and if I approach new challenges. That is why it is always important to me to keep your nervous system in mind when your life is in transition.
The process
If you would like to find out more about my work, you are welcome to book a free discovery call with me. I offer this so that we can look together at what the topics are and how I can support you with my methods. This allows you to get a first feeling for it.
Then we would arrange a first session, in which I get an overview of your history, the topics, symptoms, what you have already done, etc. Then we will make an initial plan on which topics we will approach, how we will do it, and how long the therapy would take. Furthermore, we will also have a first session, so that you can get a better feeling for the work.”