Transitions, a practice offering psychology and psychotherapeutic services, has been through its own transition since last year’s major fire on Front Street destroyed its former home.

Employees of Transitions, a company that has been in business for almost 30 years now, described losing their former base at 79 Front Street as traumatic.

But they believe the experience will allow them to relate better to some of their clients.

Jeremy Lodge, clinical psychologist at Transitions told The Royal Gazette that he lost all client records, which he describes as a minor setback.

“I had to call clients that I remembered off of the top of my head, and meet at their homes and other locations temporarily,” he said.

“I lost all upcoming appointments and records in the fire.”

All of the counsellors had similar experiences, but all were impacted in a different ways.

Sarah White, a psychotherapist, described the experience as a feeling of grief, as if she lost her home.

“I have been there so long,” she said. “For me it was a second home — we try to make our offices an extension of our own personalities and comfort zones. I didn’t realise at the time how devastating it really was, it felt like I had no where to go any more.”

However, the group believed there had been advantages from going through the experience, as Debbie Jackson, a psychotherapist, mentioned.

“We work with people who undergo trauma and difficult times,” she said. “It has certainly deepened my understanding and empathy having gone through this myself. And through resilience, to understand it’s possible to rebuild and refresh. We are happy in a new space which we did not anticipate a year ago.”

Brian Rosorea, a psychotherapist, added: “It highlighted how people react to loss in different ways. Life throws situations at you so I knew it would be fine, but it wasn’t until six to nine months later when I started to feel the tug of it all.”

During the struggle, their friends from the corporate community assisted by lending out office conference rooms to hold meetings.

Ms White said: “The community really pulled together to help us and we are grateful.”

The Transitions team has moved into a new home in Wessex House at 45 Reid Street.

They want clients to know that they are back at full strength and ready to help people in their time of need.

“It is ironic that our name is Transitions, as this was a very transitional experience,” Ms Jackson said.

They offer diverse services including for children, adults and the elderly, and for issues such as chemical dependency, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and marriage, as well as facilitating seminars and workshops.

Mr Rosorea said: “We help people with relationships, whether it’s with other people or with themselves.”

For more information, contact any of the counsellors on www.transitionsbermuda.com or on 295-2665