As many of you may already know, Sally Harvey, after 18 years of developing and directing the Academic and Staff Assistance Program, has moved on to the next chapter in her life — retirement.

Though we are sad to see Sally retire, we are excited that she has an opportunity to redefine herself, activities and passions. Here at ASAP, it certainly is a time for change and transition. I will be the new interim director, taking on new challenges such as writing this column for Dateline. I hope — as Sally did for so many years — to serve as a valuable resource for information regarding the many complex emotional, social and work issues that arise in everyday life.

Given all the changes in our unit, it is fitting that my first article focuses on change and transition. Many of us at UC Davis may remember times in which we have been affected by departmental changes. Certainly most of us in our personal lives have had to deal with change.

During my 23 years of counseling I have found that even positive change creates some sort of upheaval for many of us. Needless to say, change that we label as "negative" can result in even more difficulties in our adjustment.

At ASAP we believe that, "at times we might not be able to change a situation, however, we certainly can choose to change how we view it and, therefore, how we react to it."

This perspective seems especially applicable to our transition in our office. You might want to consider it for yourself as well.

Take a moment to think about a change that might be occurring in your life now or some change that has occurred in the past. Are you having difficulty accepting this change? Do you have any power to impact this change? What are the feelings that arise when thinking or talking about this change?

These are just a few questions that are helpful when investigating the resistance that many people display during a transition. Just as many people during a flood or fire will stay in their homes despite the warning of grave physical danger, there are also times that we resist accepting an inevitable change despite danger to our jobs, relationships or well-beings. Sometimes we fear change because we cannot predict our future. We stay in old situations despite our discomfort because it is familiar and safe.

There are strategies, however, that we can employ to assist us in coping more effectively with our transitions.

First, it is important to acknowledge that we are going through a change and that we may need support from our family, friends or professional counselor at times.

Second, change usually means some loss, therefore, we may need to give ourselves permission to experience the grief that we normally experience during a loss.

Third, change can also spark opportunity. As we begin to reconcile the loss that our transition has created, change can also be filled with the possibility of new ideas, new energy and new experiences.

Sometimes it is the way in which we decide to perceive an experience that actually dictates how we will feel about it.

I had the gift of participating in Sally Harvey's process as she moved toward her retirement. I think she would agree that her transition was filled with both loss and opportunity.

Consider making a change you have desired, and then consider taking some time to view your change and transition from both the loss and opportunity perspectives.

And please know that we are here at ASAP to assist you in these issues or any others that may occur in your life.

Learn more

Feel free to call us at (530) 752-2727 and set up an appointment.

Beth Cohen is the interim director of the Academic and Staff Assistance Program.