Life’s transitions don’t have to be painful.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with Debra Golden during a time in my life with several challenges. My mother had died, I was sorting through her belongings, my husband was retiring and I was retiring from several jobs slowly, ending a counseling practice, retiring from the ministry, and generally pondering how to care for myself during transitions.

Debra helped me set manageable goals, and stack new habits. She listened carefully as I sometimes wandered through the meaning of my life and work, and always brought me back to something tangible. And she helped me focus on attainable steps.  When I couldn’t imagine what step to take next she helped me imagine the ideal result and work backwards.  I know I was very scattered and sometimes distressed during some of our conversations, but she seemed always to be confident that something could be better. This loaned me hope.  We worked on establishing friendships, regular exercise, health care appointments, knowing what to keep from my mother, reorganization of our home, and setting limits for the folks eager to put me back to work.

I am very thankful for our time together.  Debra and I worked together for a little over half a year and at the end of our time I feel able to set goals and reach them, remembering what she taught me.

Thank you, Debra!