Contacting my first T...

Hi all, I'm new to the site & I just have some advice I'm needing on this... forgive me if it's in the wrong section too!

I was in therapy for about a year & a half from June 2013 to December
2014, my first therapist only was with me for 3 months because she moved to another job & I did a year with my next one but there was a limit for the one on one sessions as it was a free non-profit place in high demand so that came to an end & I moved into private practice for another few months with another one who turned out to be a really bad fit for me so now I'm taking a break before I continue my search for another one....

So anyway, my first therapist I really connected with & enjoyed before she left & it was really hard for me to lose her... my second therapist let me write her a letter when we started & sent it to her on my behalf & she really enjoyed it... but that was over a year ago & I have a desire to write her a brief update on how I'm doing now that I'm out of that place she was at with me originally, but I struggle on if I should do it or not... I had mentioned to my second T about letting me send to her when we wrapped up but that never materialized...

So, she told me where she works now before she left & I'm just wondering if it's worth the risk to look up the address to that place & do it??? It could easily be done with a few clicks of a mouse, BUT I also don't want to compromise her privacy & make it look like I'm following or stalking her... I don't know what she would think if I did that, she's a very understanding person so I'm not sure that would be the impression she would get but I also don't want to intrude too much...

I just wanted to send one update now that the therapy I was originally slated to do with her was done & let her know how it went, so maybe if I preface it by saying it's only a one time thing & that I don't expect any reply that she will be okay with it??? I don't expect any reply & am okay with her not responding, I understand why she isn't able to do so & that's fine, I just think it's important she know about a few things...

I need some thoughts, do you think it's a good idea to do this or not??? I don't want to be selfish & do something for me that ends up making her feel uncomfortable but at the same time if I make myself clear on what I'm doing & why I don't think she would have a problem with it... thoughts??? Sometimes things I think are good ideas aren't always, so it helps to hear what others think! Thanks in advance for any feedback given!

I have contacted previous T's with updates. The one that I have contected the most (3 times over 15 years) had invited the updates at the time of our termination.
I think if your old T mentioned appreciating the update, then I don't see why you can't send another one. It doesn't come off as stalking to me; it's simply updating. I think most T's are ok with that, espesically with the understanding that no response is needed/wanted.

I have on old therapist who I've kept up with for 30 years now (God, I'm getting old). We touch base a couple times a year still. He's never moved locations, so it wasn't like I had to work to find him, but I think it would probably be okay to drop her an email with an update. You might preface it with a willingness to understand if she would prefer you no longer maintained contact (I'm assuming you could respect that if that was her preference?).

I know my T would welcome an update from any of her past clients and myself if/when I decide to leave (never lol). She said that will make a T's day - is an update on someone they had worked with in the past. Not sure if that is true for all T's but just thought I would throw it out there.

I would start with letting her know that you aren't expecting a response if she doesn't feel inclined to give one but you wanted to let her know how things were going with you.

If you're okay with her not responding then I don't see how it could be harmful to you.

Thanks guys.

I just feel like I could be invading her privacy a bit, she didn't say anything either way about keeping in touch during termination process but she told me the name of the place she was going to next & so from there it would be me looking up the address online myself & writing to her.... the one that my second therapist let me do was with the understanding that she cannot write back & I'm good with that, being heard & her having something helps tremendously...

However, I know enough about her to know that she probably would be okay with it if I explain myself effectively the way I need to.... I just hesitate because the address to write to her was not given to me the previous time, it was sent via my second T, so that's why I feel like I'm intruding,because I feel like technically I don't have permission, but she was okay with the first one so maybe I'm worrying for nothing....

As for email, it won't be on there as I have no way of getting her email, I'm talking like a handwritten letter sent in the mail to her workplace (which is what my second T did for me).... but then again, why would she tell me where she was going if she had a problem with me possibly contacting her??? I think if she saw me as a threat of some kind she would've kept that info to herself??? So I guess that's a good sign!

It's just the me looking up her info without her or anyone at the place we were at telling me yes I could that makes me nervous, but I will preface it with something & hope she understands. My second T worked with her everyday at that place until she left so they know each other well but this time I'll have no way to hear back about what she thought, the first time she relayed through my second T how impressed she was with the writing I did. She really enjoyed it.... am I driving myself mad for nothing??? I've been thinking about doing this for months but can't bring myself to, but I should because I really want to talk to her again she's my first T & really the only one out of the 3 I really felt a genuine connection to...

Thanks for the encouraging words & similar experiences shared!