I've seen quite a few therapists, but only two individual ones for over a year and one group T for a similar period of time. I've also seen two dietitians for quite awhile. When I moved away from the first individual T and dietitian, I wrote them each a note in one of those blank cards and included a photograph I had taken (I was really into photography).

When I recently moved away from the newer individual T and dietitian, I also wrote them heartfelt notes of thanks and gave them each something from a specific art I do (too unique to mention). The one for my individual T was more involved and specifically made for her. I gave something smaller to both the dietitian and also my group T who worked with them. I could've done without a gift for the group T, but she did help me tremendously and I would have felt bad giving a handmade gift to the other two and not her. And just the thank you note (which I was happy to write) without a gift (unlike for the other two) would have felt like even more of a jab, so I included a small piece of art I made because I had plenty of them.

The last individual T had prepared a goodbye note for me and included a magnet (with a message picked specifically for me) that she gave me at our last session. I was really surprised, but also very appreciative. I know we had a real bond and that she genuinely cared about me (she told me as much), so I'm glad she was able to show that as much as possible without crossing any boundaries. Speaking of boundaries, I mentioned a couple sessions early that I had something for her, and she immediately said she shouldn't accept gifts. I then reminded her of the small gift I have her before her maternity leave (same thing I ended up giving dietitian and group T) and she laughingly said, "Well, just not a car or anything..."

So I assume she generally does not accept gifts and feels like she shouldn't, but cards and whatnot are probably fine. I imagine my gift was okay since I made it myself. About her parting gift to me- I know we had a strong bond and that she wanted to encourage me on my journey but obviously did not want to cross any boundaries. She knows how much I'd love to be her friend, but I made it clear I understood why that wasn't possible so luckily I never had to hear her tell me that.