I think that as soon as a therapist realizes they're dealing with someone who's struggling with abandonment issues, they need to work on that and help teach coping mechanisms. Most of what I've seen on PC seems like people who's abandonment issues weren't really dealt with. The T worked to make them feel safe and then never taught them effectively how to deal with change or loss.

Change and loss are difficult for everyone, even those who are mentally healthy. If someone has abandonment issues, I think long, extended terminations might be the best way to do it, to help the person process reality. Sometimes I get the impression that therapists aren't very forthright with their clients.

Idk. I guess it's hard for me to picture. I'd want my T to admit to me ASAP that he thinks his skill set isn't the right one for my illness. From there, I'd like him to keep seeing me as *he* helps me transition to a new therapist, ideally within a month. A letter from him acknowledging my progress and time with him would be nice... and then maybe a check in after I've been with the new therapist for about three months. And then from there... it could be nothing.

That being said, it's all contingent on having prepared a person to realize that loss is part of life and that it doesn't always mean you're being abandoned. And if a therapist hasn't worked on that, they're setting themselves up honestly. I don't know why abandonment issues aren't treated more primarily. I mean, people leaving is a thing in life and I'd say dealing with that is an invaluable coping skill.