Quote:
Originally Posted by azkaban
Although I've only been seeing my therapist for one college semester, I have grown very attached to her. I consider her my friend, especially since she is the only one I can really talk to at my university. I have shared everything with her and she's one of the most understanding, helping people I've ever encountered (I guess that's her job, but still). She just told me at our last meeting on Friday that this upcoming Friday she is moving to private practice (I currently go to her through my uni's counseling department) and I'd have to pay to see her if I wanted to keep going to her. My family isn't that well off financially, considering I have to pay for a private university, so no one really has money to give to a therapist at this point. My mother said for me to try working with a new therapist from school and if it doesn't work out, go to private practice with my old therapist...but this is all a big maybe.
I am terribly distraught though, especially since it's likely that I might have to switch to someone new and stay with them. I have a hard time trusting and opening up to people, especially since they end up leaving or betraying me somehow. This is exactly what happened, I opened up and she has to leave now.
I can't help but cry my eyes out and act like a child about this but it's so difficult.
Any advice for me? Anything? I really need something right about now.
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I started out with a university therapist myself. Like yours, he left and I saw another uni therapist. However, I will never forget that first uni therapist. He was really there for me when I was ready to talk for that first time. I still miss him sometimes, but he left and I couldn't follow. Uni therapist are notoriously transient which is why some places limit the visits with any one therapist to 8 or so.
If it turns out that you have to stay with the uni therapists, I would first advise you to take heart. WIth your permission (or perhaps you've already given it), your old therapist can speak with your new one. I found that the transfer of my care was pretty seamless and the new uni therapist came into the room with his ducks in a row so to speak. It may sound uncomfortable, but looking back on it, it was very beneficial.
It became. just about adjusting to a new person sitting across from me. No, he wasn't as "good" as the first one, but then again, at that stage no one could have ever been.
My first several sessions were spent basically crying over the loss of my previous therapist. The new one was very supportive and appeared to understand. I kept an open mind, and the new one helped me a fair bit as well. No, they aren't interchangeable, but each can bring something good to the table. In fact, this new guy actually helped me to transition out of therapy for a good long while. I was able to complete my graduate work.
Also, one last thought. I would try as hard as I could not to view your old therapist's decision as a betrayal. I'm sure this was a hard decision for her too, but the rules of her new practice likely dictate that all patients pay. It may be completely out of her hands.
Your strong enough I'm sure to handle this transition, however it turns out, and to stay on the course to your recovery.