[Sadness2008]

I've been seeing a therapist for 2 years now. We've become very close, almost like friends and although I could be wrong we seem to have good chemistry. However now my therapy is ending and I am witnessing my life fall apart.

My therapist said she'll keep in touch with me so when i lose everything I'll at least have her. She said she cares about me, not because it's her job, but because she cares for me as an individual person.

I have my doubts if my therapist will keep in contact. It worries me a lot thinking of what I will become after my therapy is over. I feel like i'll totally lose my mind. I don't think I'd be fine with random texts/emails every couple of weeks. I'd want to see her or speak to her on the phone at least. I never really get out of the house and I rely on her a lot for my emotional well being.

I guess I'm just posting this thread here to ask is it ok to keep in touch after therapy? Has anyone here kept in touch with their therapist/counselor? And what was it like?

Why is your therapy ending?

I think it would be highly unusual to have regular contact with a therapist after therapy was over without any financial compensation.

I had contact with my therapists after we were finished, but it has always been very occasional (a few times a year) and not for therapy, just to keep in touch for the most part.

[stopdog]

I became friends with the very first therapist I ever tried. I did not use her as a therapist for all that long but we shared a hobby and such and saw each other about once or twice a month for years until she moved away to be closer to her children. It was not a big deal - we did the hobby and it was all quite pedestrian. It was pleasant enough but not earth shattering or anything.

[Sadness2008]

I am studying in college and they pay for my therapist. I'm a couple of weeks away from ending my education there and then she won't be my therapist anymore.

[Elio]

Because of the nature around your therapy, the "forced" termination aspect, you should talk to your T about options. Maybe there is already a transition plan or a continuation of communication policy ... or ... you can at least find out whatever is acceptable and allowable. Sometimes Ts can be limited by policies as well when working within larger institutions.

My first therapist was through the counseling center at my university, so I know what you are experiencing. They are not generally allowed to continue services to students who are not enrolled in the university.

He is the one I've kept in touch with since I graduated in 1985. We don't have frequent contact, but we do keep track of each other and keep each other updated about our lives. He's retired now, so we don't have quite as much contact. One reason it worked was that we simply kept in touch for professional and social reasons. By professional, I mean he was the director of career services at the university, so initially, that is why we were in contact. He was assisting me in finding my first teaching position and in deciding/finding a counselor where I ended up. After that, we just kind of kept in touch several times a year and that has kept on up to the present. One reason that kind of contact was workable was that I didn't contact him really as my therapist anymore; that aspect of our relationship was over. I didn't have expectations of anything at all really, so it was a pleasant series of events that led to a lasting friendship.

[CyclingPsych]

I terminated with my therapist a long time ago (switched therapists) and we still keep in touch from time to time. More of life updates with school.

my t has told me several times we will always be part of each other's lives.