Boy can I relate there. I really didn't even want to START therapy because I was worried I would get too close, and then get hurt. But, I guess life is all about taking risks, eh?

So, with my fear in mind, when I started searching for a therapist, I had some requirements.... and the one I ended up choosing (the first one I saw, too!) works for herself and her own business, not an agency, although she has a couple people working for her. So lots of people come in and out of that waiting room, between 3-4 Ts, but MY T is the owner, so the risk of her leaving was lessened. She also has been under the same business name, in the same location, for over 20 years. When I started to contact her, I asked her what her future plans were, I didn't want to get involved with someone who may be moving, or retiring, etc. In the next few years she plans on not taking on any new clients. But she plans to work for at LEAST 10 years before she retires, and even then, she said she may see patients part time for another 10-20 years....so she said I had nothing to worry about, and I believed her. She knows now that I have major trust/abandonment issues, so she reminds me once in awhile that come hell or high water, she's gonna be around a long time yet. I'm very happy for choosing her... I didn't even hear her voice until my first session....it was all thru Email. I had an idea of what she looked like, because her pic is on her website.... although looks really didn't matter to me.

I've gone through some surgeries the past few years, and had doctor problems too. I was in a clinic that had residents, and because I'm seeing my doc every 3-4 months, I was tired of being stuck with residents. Yes, I know they need to learn, but I'm a "regular," so I wanted a "regular" doctor. The clinic I was at caused me nothing but grief, so I started doctor shopping a couple years ago. I end up now going to a different clinic in a different town, but she's worth it. So I got lucky finding the right doc, and T. With my doc, during my first appt, I asked her, too, what her future intentions were. She is young, so no thought of retiring anytime soon.... but I wanted to make sure she had no plans to quit/move away. The last doc I had that I felt any connection with at all ended up moving 3 hours north, so I couldn't see him anymore. She told me she had no plans to move, quit, leave THIS clinic, etc. Things happen, but it was reassuring to me to know she had no plans to leave in the near future. I started seeing her....oh..in June, I think. During my second appt with her, she brought up my question to her, she kinda squirmed a bit. She said "I know I told you I had no plans to leave, BUT....." and I'm thinking OMG now what.... I breathed a sigh of relief when she informed me she was pregnant, and would be taking time off when the baby was born (your typical leave time). I looked at her and said "CONGRATULATIONS! That's all?" Here she was nervous I might be upset.... but after holding my breath at first, I was thrilled! Ok, she's taking maternity leave....so what? That was a couple years ago now.

Anyway, please don't give up on seeing a new T yet. If (when, I hope) the time comes for you to find another one, just make sure you ask. Things in life happen...I understand that....but asking doesn't hurt, and in this case it may not have done any good. But in another case, it might. Hugs to you.