[AnxiousGirl]

I'm 19 and I've been seeing a therapist for GAD for a year. The most I've gone without seeing her was like 3 weeks and it was tough but I managed. So today I had my regular weekly appointment and it was actually one of the best. As soon as I sat down she pointed out that I looked more relaxed and how it was a good look for me (usually I'm very stressed because of school). She also said that I was the least lazy person she has ever met. Anyways, it was a good session, to be honest it felt more of a chat than anything intense. So she's going on vacation for 2 weeks, then the week she gets back I have exams so I don't know if I will be able to go in that week so that means I'm not going to see her for a month. That's the longest I've ever gone. I'm not sure what to do, like I keep thinking about it and how thats going to seem like SUCH a long time without going in. Any advice on what to do? She told me that if it gets too much then I can just schedule an appointment during my exam week which I highly doubt.

So what do you guys do when this happens?

Thank you !

[Cinnamon_Stick]

My appointments are every three weeks or once a month. Its tough and a very long time. What helps me is between session contact. I email my T back and forth between sessions and we talk on the phone once or twice in that time frame.

Could you email her or have a phone check in?

[barefootfairy]

I agree that check-ins help. I don't currently have a regular therapist but when I did, she would give me "homework" for between sessions so I was consistently working on something. A month was a little long for me but having something concrete to work on during that time made it seem faster. Think of it as an opportunity to practice the skills you've been learning in therapy.

When I have taken breaks from t in the past, I would do something nice for myself at my normal appointment time, like go to a florist and just soak in the beautiful colors and smells and they buy a bouquet of flowers for myself, or go to the park and sketch, or go swimming, something that I enjoyed that made me feel good. I also talk to her in my head. I do that anyway when we're not on breaks haha. Also, way back in the beginning of therapy she taught me the technique of Active Imagination to use working with dreams, so I do those often inbetween appointments as well. And lots of journaling. I wish you the best!

Yes. Partay!!

[XenaStrikes]

Isn't there usually a substitute Therapist that they can assign to you? If not ask.

Wishing you the best of health and luck

[AnxiousGirl]

No there isn't I think as the days go by though ill enjoy it and when the time comes I won't want to go back !

[Soccer mom]

I would first make it through the first two weeks and see how you feel. Maybe once you get through those, the extra time won't seem as difficult.

I have the strongest feelings the first few days after a session. Then, once I've processed and written some, I feel like I can concentrate on the here and now. It's not easy and I would love to go more often but it is what it is.

[musinglizzy]

Sometimes when my T goes away (she's actually leaving for vacay tomorrow), I will start an Email to her, and just write in it in journal format, adding something daily or whenever I feel the need. Perhaps things I may forget to mention when she gets back. Tell her if I'm struggling, or having a good day. It helps to try to be connected that way. My T knows I do this, so she pretty much expects me to Email her this journal upon her return.

[Chummy]

When my T is away, everything just goes the same except I don't see her once a week. It can be difficult. But I manange. I think I'm just so used to being alone with my thoughts and feelings. I'm like you, first I miss her, but when it's close to session time, I rather don't go.

Maybe you can keep a journal. Write in things you want to talk about with T.