Open for Summer
With many restrictions lifted and Alberta moving into Stage 3 of the “Open for Summer Plan,” we have begun to dip our toes, or some of us, run like the wind, into the “new normal.” The story of the Phoenix rising from the ashes, transformed and renewed, is symbolic of the rebirth we may be experiencing in these times. The pandemic has caused great distress, grief, isolation and despair. As a collective, we have all lost something of significance during covid, be it a sense of stability, connection, perhaps family or loved ones. Though unique, each of us experiences the grief of these losses fully. For many of us, the distress and uncertainty continues.
As a therapist, I have the honor of holding space for my clients as they move through healing and recovery. The process of therapy is collaborative and relational; we learn from each other. Throughout the pandemic, as the clients I serve have been moving through adversity, simultaneously, so too have I. Humankind, globally, has been navigating the seas of uncertainty throughout the pandemic. When the world seemed to halt to a standstill, we were afforded space to pause and reflect, take stock of our lives and our priorities. During this time, I learned more about Post-traumatic Growth theory developed in the 1990s by Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun. This theory suggests that despite adversity, we can evolve in healthy and positive ways; not in spite of trauma, but in response to.
Tedeschi and Calhoun suggest that post traumatic growth can occur in five domains. These domains include appreciation of life (what can break us open can also open us up to gratitude and renewed priorities), relating to others (deeper relationships prevail and others fall aside), personal strength (at a time when one feels the most vulnerable, there is a sense of strength), recognizing new possibilities (out of loss there can be gain), and spiritual change (shift from hopelessness toward contentment and acceptance). Growth may occur in small steps, like planting seeds, or expansive life changing realizations.
In reflecting upon my personal experiences, as well as those of clients, friends, family members and peers, I have witnessed growth in many different ways in each of the domains.
Appreciation of life – small joys not taken for granted. For some this has looked like a renewed focus on personal health and wellbeing; watching the sunrise/sunset, “stopping to smell the roses.”
Relating to others – authentic relationships – increased connections within cohorts and shifting out of old relationships that no longer serve; one individual remarked, “I realized I didn’t actually miss some people and am going to focus on reconnecting with those I have missed.”
Personal strengths – adversities in life are inevitable. As person who likes to have a plan, over the past year and a half, I have said many times, “I’ve never been so flexible in my life!” Others have developed greater adaptability, creativity, compassion, and kindness.
New possibilities - pursuit of new paths - cooking new recipes, dreaming up new hobbies, rediscovering passions. Working virtually has highlighted that hybrid service delivery models can enhance work-life balance for staff, as well as accessibility for clients.
Spiritual change - exploring purpose in life, return to “human be-ing” vs human do-ing. Many of us have pondered the big questions “What is the meaning of life? What am I here for? How can I serve humankind?”
As we move into the “Open for Summer Plan,” I invite you to consider:
1. Where were you in life when the pandemic started, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually?
2. What learnings and reflections do you want to bring forward with you? What has changed for the better?
3. What can you release and let go of that no longer serves you?
4. What are your personal boundaries and how will you navigate these conversations with others?
5. How can you continue to practice kindness and compassion toward yourself and others?
There is no right or wrong way to move through the challenges of a global pandemic. Collectively, we are all doing the best we can, where we are at in our lives, and we can continue to learn and grow on this journey of life.
Resources:
Blog: Post-Traumatic Growth: Finding Meaning and Creativity in Adversity
Book: The Post Traumatic Growth Guidebook: Practical Mind-Body Tools to Heal Trauma, Foster Resilience, and Awaken your Potential by Dr Arielle Schwartz
Video: What is Post-Traumatic Growth by Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want
Blog Written by Margot Crane
Margot Crane has provided support to children, youth and families from various walks of life and circumstances for almost 20 years. She has been a Registered Social worker since 2000 and a Registered Psychologist since 2014.
After completion of her undergraduate degree in Criminology, at the University of Alberta, Margot worked in the field of child protection in various capacities. Margot completed her Master in Counselling Psychology through City University of Seattle in 2012.
As a Consultant to rural service providers in child and adolescent mental health, Margot provides mentorship, education, consultation and coaching. Margot also provides consultation services to Terra’s mental health team, serving pregnant and parenting youth.
Margot employs a myriad of evidence-based tools including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focussed Therapy. She has been trained in and utilized EMDR in practice since 2017. In addition, she has taken workshops in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Self-Compassion, Dialectical Behavioral skills. Margot certified as a meditation teacher for children and youth through Lifestyle Meditation. Previously, Margot was the clinical lead for a youth concurrent disorders program, wherein she empowered clients to cocreate goals and tailored services to meet individualized needs.
Recently, Margot participated in the CASA Lecture Series, The Pandemic’s Impact on Addictions. Margot has collaborated with many groups providing mental health presentations at schools to youth and staff. She has been featured in the Alberta Family Wellness Brain Story Certification promotional video and has co-authored a course in Alternative Healing Methods for a local Indigenous college.
To learn more about Margot and how she can support you, click here.