What happens to your file after termination?

So yes, does anyone know what happens to your file when you terminate? Specifically if your T is no longer practicing? I was thinking that if I decided to see a new T I would like my file to come with me so the new T is on the same page so to speak.

I will be asking my T about this when I email her about referrals but I just wanted to know if any of you guys have experience with this

T doesn't have files. Just name and address.

T’s have to keep a clients file for 7 years after termination. That’s in the UK anyway. I’m not sure about when they stop practicing but I guess it’s still their responsibility.

In the US the regulations vary by state, but most require private practitioners to keep files for 7 years, and institutions to keep them for 10 years. After that, they are professionally shredded. But a practitioner is required to keep the file whether you leave or not, or whether they retire or not. You can request a copy of the file, but that's in addition to the one kept by the practitioner. Also the privacy of the file--who can see it without specific consent--varies whether the notes are part of a medical file or a psychological one. The medical ones generally carry fewer restrictions on viewing.

I just wanted to mention that there might be value in the new T discovering you and making her own conclusions about you rather than be biased by your Ts views. Sometimes starting with a blank canvas can be useful.

An uninfluenced perspective might be useful, especially since you and your T were stuck. Think about it.

I agree with this. When I started seeing a new T a few months ago, I opted not to have him speak with my ex-T or current marriage counselor. I wanted new T to form his own impression of me without being biased by either of their thoughts. After 6 weeks, I did let him talk to my marriage counselor (for MC to share with him, but not the other way around). At that point, I felt he'd formed enough of an opinion of me and trusted him and his skills enough to not completely change his opinion based on what MC said. Still haven't had him talk to ex-T...not sure if I will, if there would really be a use for that at this point.

Edited to add: I think it might be different in the case of a psychiatrist, because having a history of medications/side effects could be really important. I did have my ex-p-doc send my records to current p-doc.

To answer OP's question, I asked ex-T about it at one point, ans she mentioned the 7 years thing. I think she said she had all these files in a locked shed on her property, something like that...And I believe she has to keep them after she retires. I have no idea what happens to them if she passes away...(not trying to be morbid--she's in her 70s).

Yes, this is a good point. I still don't know if I will see a new T but if I do I probably won't get my file transferred now that you have mentioned this. I think my relationship with my last T had simply run it's course. I also think that towards then end the maternal transference was causing me to repeat some unhelpful patterns that were hard for either of us to break out of. If I see a new T I am going to try a male and see how that could offer a different dynamic.

My ex-t told me legally she has to keep all client's files for 8 years. She had permission to share things with my new T, but she had to copy files rather than give them out. She said she can copy my file for me too if I want. I don't though.

My retired therapist also told me he has to keep them some amount of years after their termination and then will shred them. They don't have to give you your therapy notes (beyond schedule and drugs and the like, per HIPAA) though they can if they want. Mine wrote up a two page summary (of my whole life!) to give out to would-be new therapists/psychiatrists. and said that was all the notes he would give out--it included drugs.