Using the Midlife Transition that naturally occurs in our bodies to fuel the next mission of our life.

1. Midlife: Madness or Mission? Presented by: Lisa Dial, MS, LPC, NCC Concourse Office Park 6320 LBJ Freeway, Suite 127 Dallas, Texas 75240 (972) 233-6800 www.lisadial.com

3. Adult Learning Model Motivation: Adults are internally motivated to learn. Despite individual traits, there are some things common to adult learners. * Adults have a fear of failure and often doubt their ability to learn new things. * Adults are time-conscious learners who want to learn in an efficient manner. * They resent rote learning that lacks direct application to their needs, and they want to be treated with the respect they deserve. * However, adults often need some direction as they transition from their prior experience with top-down, authority and hierarchical based learning environments (Imel, 1988).

7. Normalize Clients’ Experience None of us escapes this transition unless we pass-on first “ Normal development” is the antithesis of “mental disorder” one reaches out, the other stigmatizes and impedes Impeding access to professional guidance increases negative outcomes prolongs suffering or confusion stymies the transition ↑ likelihood of relationship ruptures can turn to addictions career loss/change untreated health concerns ↑ stress

8. OPPORTUNITY TO MARKET Market guidance through mid-life transitions as opportunity to broaden your practice Equivalent to Executive, Career or Personal Coaching models Can apply an appropriate DSM-IV dx based on presenting symptomology, and then use a mid-life transition model to assess, conceptualize, and guide treatment. Mid-life transition model more appealing

11. Mid-Life: Madness or Mission? What’s the fuss about mid-life? What is this ABOUT? The purpose of the mid-life transition is to get you ready for the rest of your life. There are, at least, a couple of different outcomes - 1. Madness - resistance, avoidance, anger, hopelessness and, then, CRISIS or 2. Mission - learn about it, increase awareness, face it, use transition as fuel for your mission That’s what it’s for, so get busy! Unconscious and Reactive Conscious and Intentional

19. Meaning Making: What are you made of? Major Resources: Dollars, Time, and Energy Knowledge, Experience, and Vision How am I going to use these for the rest of my years? Why do I choose to use them in this way? Review a typical day and ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” “ Is this really important to me?” Do all the pieces of your life (clothes, house, car, friends, community involvement, worship, goals) really fit in with your values? Am I spending my resources in the way that I want to? Mid-life is heaviest in responsibility and stress Important relationships are changing Careers may turn out to be unfulfilling