Hello all!

I have an issue. It has been bothering me for almost a year now. I have been in therapy for about 2 years now. For a long time, I was really struggling, and now I am doing a lot better. Recently, my therapist and I went from therapy once a week to once every 2 weeks. I know that this is a good thing. However, I am saddened by it cause deep down I know that means that therapy is going to be nearing an end at some point. And I know that in order for me to grow to my full potential that therapy will have to end so I can handle life on my own, and not have to rely on someone else to help guide me through it.

I have a fear of abandonment. I was put in foster care the day I was born and I was adopted at 2.5 years old. So, I have a fear of abandonment when therapy ends at some point in the future. Though, I know I would not be being abandoned. But It still feels that way to me, if that makes sense. I fear that when therapy does end that I will have a set back from it to where I will get really depressed again or go back to my old ways. I do not want that at all. So, I am trying to get over this fear now, so I can better handle things in a healthy way when it does eventually happen.

So, my question is. How do I overcome this fear once and for all? I feel like this fear is taking control of my life, and I do not want that.

Sorry if this post is all chip chopped.

[MickeyCheeky]

Maybe you should talk with the therapist itself? Maybe he can help you and give you advice, as he's been doing until now

[craven_]

I'm an adoptee too, so I get the abandonment issues.
I don't really know what to advise you, as I have only started therapy recently and I don't feel any attachment to mine. I do find it very very hard to trust though, and once I do trust someone and let them in I am terrified of them leaving or doing something to make them leave.
I know I'm not answering your question here. I just wanted to let you know that I understand.

yes, discuss this with both your therapist and psychiatrist. In the meantime, how are you occupying yourself now during those times when you once had your sessions? I think keeping yourself busy at what used to be session time may be of help coping.

[Nammu]

I'm not sure such fears can be gotten over. Fear is a sign of being alive and taking risks. I think acceptance of fear brings new courage and peace.

Originally Posted by MickeyCheeky

Maybe you should talk with the therapist itself? Maybe he can help you and give you advice, as he's been doing until now

I have spoken with my therapist about this fear. She assured me as long as I keep improving and keep showing her I am coping that I have nothing to worry about. But for some reason, I still have this fear and I do not want me therapist thinking I do not trust her when I trust her completely.

Originally Posted by justafriend306

yes, discuss this with both your therapist and psychiatrist. In the meantime, how are you occupying yourself now during those times when you once had your sessions? I think keeping yourself busy at what used to be session time may be of help coping.

I have talked with my therapist about this before. She told me as long as I keep improving and showing her that I am coping that I have nothing to worry about. I just do not want her to think I do not trust her, if I bring it up again, because I do trust her completely. I, however, have not thought about telling my Psychiatrist about this. I do not see him until March though. In the meantime, I am occupying my time with my college classes and group therapy at my college (so, I can work on this issue in my groups as well).