[Crook32]

My therapist just told me she is retiring in December. I didn't think I would take it this hard but it felt like I was punched in the gut. I didn't sleep last night from the anxiety of it all. Even though she said she would help me find someone else I am feeling abandoned and worried about starting over.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Leah123]

I'm so sorry. I'd feel the same way. Hope you'll do something extra nice for yourself.

I completely understand. Rationally you know that it's not an abandonment. She retires, she won't have clients anymore, so she can't be your T. But your feelings stays exactly the same. Whether she'd abandon you or whether she retires: She won't be there for you. That is your side of the reality. And that stirs up a lot of feelings of sadness and anxiety. And the feelings are equally real and true.

Only in this case your mind might blame you, because 'you are wrong, you know she didn't abandon you and yet you still feel bad'. I don't believe in that kind of logic. You feel what you feel. And if you feel it, it is true. No matter what.
So I hope you're kind to yourself. You deserve it. This would scare most people in therapy, I bet. I would completely freak out.

And the unknown is scary. Absolutely. But you'll be fine. Hang on.

[Chartres]

That sucks. I feel for you. On the one hand it is good she is giving you so much notice but on the other hand I imagine it would be hard to stay emotionally connected when you know you are on a countdown. That's a tough one.

[SoupDragon]

However hard, I think these times reflect real life and with a T recommended by your current T you will be able to work through that loss.

I am sorry you are facing this right now though and hope you can discuss it with your T ( who by the way sounds excellent in giving you plenty of notice so you have time to still work with her through some of this).

Take care Soup