Quote:
Originally Posted by Petra5ed
I think the problem here really is you can't force someone to provide you services. Once a T decides to terminate the logic on their end is either that they aren't helping you, or that they don't want to help you. Either one and it makes all the sense to them to cut you off, the fact that it bothers you just points to the fact that you need therapy, which was the case before they saw you at all. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just that this is the way it is. I work with clients... I've fired clients before... I'm not a therapist mind you, but in my case it's usually people who I can't stand working with or who stop paying me. I'll provide copies of what we've done and a referral if they ask. I can't imagine being forced to continue working with anyone or anything once I've decided not to...
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But other "services" do not put the client's emotional and psychological well-being on the line. Therapy is different, unique. And the power imbalance requires the one with the power to wield it with utmost care.
And if anything requires utmost care it is the decision to cut someone off cold turkey who has formed an attachment or dependence, and might have come into the process already in real distress. In my case I was suffering from chronic illness, depression, sudden loss of family members, and social isolation.
It is true that a T might legitimately find themselves in a situation where they can't help. But continuing in some fashion, or tapering off, or taking a break MIGHT be the lesser of two evils compared to abrupt termination. Also, if the T cannot handle it or does not want to, then they have failed. It is their job and they are paid for it, and this should be acknowledged as part of termination and transition.
If a surgeon cut you open and got to the core wound or disease, and then said they could not go any further, it would be malpractice, because it is assumed they would not have opened the wounds in the first place if they were not equipped to handle it. Human emotions are bit more complex than that, but seems a fairly apt analogy.