Terrified of addressing attachment?

I've been with my T almost 3 years now, with a few months' breaks during that time, but the more I see termination being inevitable soon, the more attached I feel and scared of going on without T. It's especially complicated by the fact it took me a long time to build up trust and acknowledge connection. I want to bring it up, but am scared and just the thought of the conversation makes me so uncomfortable. How have others had a successful discussion about this?

Are you worried about how they would react? I can't say I have really experienced that but I would think being a therapist they are aware if they have been providing therapy and getting into deep emotional stuff with someone that person might have a hard time with the therapy coming to an end. So I doubt they would have any ill feelings towards you about it...but not sure if that is what you are worried about.

i'm not sure from your post why termination is inevitable?

i have seen my t for five years, sometimes weekly, sometimes with a couple months in between. i am very attached to him. this is a problem for me in that i don't like to get attached to people. when i told him that he was important to me and that i cared about him and that i felt attached, he took that as a good thing. his words were, 'if it inspire positive feelings in you, i'll take that.'

he's constantly trying to get me to 'feel the love' (in my life that is) so he sees this as a good thing. i'm still undecided

One of the things that has benefitted me is talking about it as it develops. I know that doesn't do you a whole lot of good at this point, but maybe try and mentally rewind and start with the small stuff, like "I feel like I want to tell you about the things going on in my life, even if they're not relevant to therapy," or something like that. And then work up to "I really feel scared about leaving and I feel like I need you."

I've been with my tdoc for almost 10 years and I have no plans of stopping anytime soon. While I am attached to her, and she knows it, it's not the reason I continue to see her. I have chronic MDD and work with her to keep me stable or help me through my episodes.

If there comes a time that I am able to stop treatment, I will slowly transition away from it and I may ask to see her every other month just for a check in. Also, if I do leave therapy I know I can always go back.

You know... when you've been in therapy a long time (not that 3 years is THAT long) and are attached and have worked through alot of things... it's normal to feel anxious and stressed about how things will be done when you're done. Some people find it helpful to not stop "cold turkey" - which is abrupt and can leave you feeling unsupported if something else comes up - but instead to taper off. So if you're going weekly, but feeling better, start going every other week. Then once a month. And if things keep getting better, maybe just once every other month or something.

Basically, you can slowly ease yourself off therapy while maintaining a connection and sense of support. This makes it easier if something huge happens and you need support as well, since T is already there and you have a good relationship with them, to ramp back up sessions as needed.

Does that sound less scary/depressing?

Sorry I wasn't clear about termination but it's just because I'm feeling more accomplished with my goals and not wanting to draw things out. Thanks for sharing your experience.

This part is what freaks me out

I understand. But by the time you get there, it won't be as scary.