[Raging Quiet]

My private practice t has spoken about retiring in the past, but she has never given me a date for terminating or her retirement information in 8 years..

I ended up on her accreditation/register organisations website and her name had disappeared. This shocked me.

I'm not quite sure if t's are allowed to practice in retirement?

I'm also 99.9% sure her name has been removed from the website because she hasn't renewed her membership as I vaguely remember her saying she didn't want to take on any new clients.

I feel like I'm suddenly seeing her unofficially, or 'off the record' now and I don't want her or me to get in trouble. I feel like she may have been 'retired' for a while and hasn't told me.

[HazelGirl]

Could you talk to her about it?

[Ambra]

This must be unsettling. I'm sorry about that, you might want to talk about it with her. If you don't feel like bringing it up because you would have to mention you went to check on the web, you might start with something vague like a general question about plans for your therapy..

[wotchermuggle]

Your T is in her seventies, isn't she?

I wouldn't really be worried, unless you're expecting she's going to tell you that she won't be able to see you any longer.

Just so you know, and not to scare you, but before my T gave up his practice, he gave me the whole "I'm not going to take any new clients" line.

[feralkittymom]

You could always send an inquiry to whatever the licensing board is in your area. In the US, Ts have to remain licensed in order to practice, and would be in violation if they continued to practice under their previous title. They also couldn't process insurance payments, and client submitted requests for reimbursement from insurance would be denied. There also would probably be tax complications for the T.

[Raging Quiet]

Thank you for your responses (yes she is in her 70's)

She won't let me go, she's reduced her price and pratically let's me pick any time or day as she wants to be 'flexible' now I'm pregnant as well as working full time and doing my college course.

She said she wants to be on my pregnancy journey with me until I give birth next year, but my mental health issues have disappeared (apart from pregnancy anxiety) I don't want to go into anything deep as I am just focused on being well, positive and enjoying life.

I've made my sessions every fortnight which I don't think she likes, when I mention termination or winding down, her face falls. I feel like she's lonely, I know this 'isn't my problem' but after 8 years, we are intertwined.

Perhaps that is why I think she has retired but hasn't told me.. Yet.

[SnakeCharmer]

In the state where I live, the rules are much more flexible. Anyone can open up an office as a therapist or counselor or life coach, even if they have no credentials and no training. As long as they don't misrepresent their training or degrees or call themselves a psychologist or social worker or even a shrink, they are totally legal. They just can't bill insurance.

If a credentialed T lets their licensing slip, it means they can't bill insurance or have hospital privileges. But other than that, they can see clients/patients without worry about getting into trouble. It might also impact their malpractice insurance, but I'm not sure about that.

It's likely that each state has it's own rules, some stricter, some more lenient.

As for whether you keep seeing her or not, Raging Quiet, the decision rests with you. Personally, I don't find it odd that your T is reluctant to let you go, seeing that you're pregnant and also have work and school responsibilities. It's both caring and professional for her to want to remain there for you, considering that the post-birth time can be especially difficult for any woman.

It's nice that she wants to be there as part of your support network just in case you need an understanding ear somewhere down the line. Your relationship will eventually wind down. It might be a good idea to keep her close while you transition into motherhood ... just in case you need her.

I wish you the best, with a healthy and happy pregnancy and birth!

[stopdog]

I find it of great concern when a therapist will "not let" a client go. It would be one huge red flag for me. I would not consider it nice at all.