[Gettingitsoon]

T just cancelled session last minute. Well, within an hour.
She NEVER cancels so I know it's some important reason.
And life happens, even for therapists.

Still, it's been a terrible week. I can text and will get a response but not the same AT ALL.

I'm feeling anxious and alone with my stuff.

[Elio]

I am sorry to hear about the cancellation. And no texting is not the same. Is there anything I could do to help?

I'm sorry t cancelled.... Be gentle with yourself. Like do something nice for yourself, to take care of you.

I just posted a post called accepting the limitations of therapy, which I clearly have yet to do. When is your next appointment? Try to journal to your T what you were going to tell her. Take care.

[Gettingitsoon]

Thank you. You folks obviously get it. That helps.

I'm going out tonite with DH.
WILL TRY to enjoy, but I'm afraid it will be difficult.

[kecanoe]

Can you try to schedule a session soon? How long until your next appointment?

And yes, it would be tremendously hard for me if T1 cancelled. I am sorry that happened.

[LonesomeTonight]

I've had to deal with a fair number of cancellations, some of them last-minute, with my marriage counselor, partly due to a situation going on in personal life (wife's health condition). It's been especially difficult at times if he cancelled at the last minute when I was in a really bad place or if he's taken a long time to reschedule (this is less of an issue now that we have a regular time slot). So I get how hard it can be, and I'm sorry you had to deal with it. I agree that you should see if you can get in earlier than your usual session. If not, texting or a phone call may not be the same, but if they can help you get through, then are worth pursuing. Hugs...

[Gettingitsoon]

Thanks everyone for responses, it feels good that I'm not alone in this.

I was able to enjoy the planned evening out with friends last nite, it was a good distraction. A long planned Christmas gathering. I was feeling that I might not be up for it and it surely wouldn't be the time or place for connecting with my friends on the challenges I'm having right now! The wine probably helped.

But here I am, coffee cup in hand, first thing in am, rolling over my feelings of abandonment again. Should I text T? I'm upset about the cancellation and not sure I can/want to talk to her yet.....
I have a regular appointment tues. I think I'll live with these feelings a bit and see....maybe wait and bring to session after I can sort through better.
Why is this so hard?

Tsunami, I like the "limitations of therapy" thread, thanks for that.

[kecanoe]

I might try journaling feelings. It often helps me get some distance from the feelings and also gives me a record of what was going on in my brain for the next session. I then (sometimes) take the journal into the next session. Just the pages that apply to the situation. That has been helpful in figuring out what would work better if there is a next time. T1 is pretty good about accommodating whatever we think would work better-but we have to figure that out first.

[Gettingitsoon]

Oh no.
It just happened again. Another same day cancellation by T.

Feels like the last one was just a few weeks ago, but reality check, I see it was actually a month ago.
Still a very unusual thing, I know something's up .....

Hopefully will get a reschedule later in the week. Might not happen.
Have been ruminating about some family drama from over the holidays and am finding it difficult to hold them longer...

I'm off work tomorrow, will try for a long walk even if the grey rain continues...walking usually helps.

Thanks for letting me vent.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by Gettingitsoon

Oh no.
It just happened again. Another same day cancellation by T.

Feels like the last one was just a few weeks ago, but reality check, I see it was actually a month ago.
Still a very unusual thing, I know something's up .....

Hopefully will get a reschedule later in the week. Might not happen.
Have been ruminating about some family drama from over the holidays and am finding it difficult to hold them longer...

I'm off work tomorrow, will try for a long walk even if the grey rain continues...walking usually helps.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Ugh, I'm sorry. I'd get the sense something was up, too. Hope she's OK and that you can see her later in the week.

[nottrustin]

I struggle when T needs to cancel which has happened a few times it the 2 years due to developing a chronic medical condition. I realized the reason I struggle with it is because starting the day before I mentally prepare myself for the appointment. When she cancels the last minute it is hard for me.

[Gettingitsoon]

Exactly.
It feels like I have this stuff all ready to dump/purge/share and now I don't have the safe place to bring it.

I think it's not an uncommon reaction. Just doesn't make it easier to go through knowing that intellectually. It feels awful.

You might just call and leave a message hoping to reschedule since your last two sessions have been cancelled. Sounds like something is going on. My T who never cancelled started cancelling sort of last minute several times over the period of a few weeks. Come to find out, he had a series of kidney stones he was dealing with. Yuck.

[Gettingitsoon]

Thought I'd update....
T had said she would contact me with possible openings when she cancelled.
But days went by, no appointments materialized.
I did what I do....stew.
Is she sick? Did she forget about me? Does she know I need to see her? Does she care?

LOTS of wasted energy/worry.
Finally decided to contact her and remind her I need a reschedule.
Magically, she got back to me within hours with a doable slot.

I told her it was uncomfortable for me to send a "reminder" . She told me she cancelled due to illness and the week then got hectic...and to never hesitate to remind her of what I need.
That I'm not too demanding....which of course is one of my several fears!

Anyway, I THINK I've learned this lesson.