Return to same therapist?

I finished therapy about 10 months ago with a therapist I saw for about a year. I had a lot of respect for this therapist and ended up staying in therapy beyond why I initially went because she was so helpful, and it was a great experience. I've been struggling again with anxiety and wonder if I should touch base with a therapist again before the anxiety gets out of control. It makes sense to just contact my previous one. Yet, I'm really struggling with that. I don't know if I am feeling embarrassed or what my problem is. I don't look for a new doctor every time I have a new symptom! I like going back to someone familiar. And I genuinely liked this last therapist and know she would be helpful. In fact, I have referred her to other people because I have that much respect for her. Has anyone else returned to a previous therapist after taking a break? I'm sure it's not as weird for the therapist as I think it is, but, man, I am struggling with this.

I think it makes sense to contact her again. I agree with the doctor analogy. If you'd parted on bad terms, might be different, but I see no reason why you shouldn't reach out to her now.

Yes, I have and I found it very comforting and reassuring to return someplace familiar after a year away from her. She said she would always welcome me back as long as she was practicing.

I think you should definitely reach out to her. It is fairly common practice for Ts to have former clients contact them in stressful times.

That being said, your T MAY not have current openings. My T had to cut back her hours of availability right now so sadly she is not available to previous clients. Last week she met with her supervision group and some had quite a few openings and others were inundated with potential clients.

Yes, this is a very normal situation. I ended with my current therapist once and then went back a few years later when I thought she could be helpful again. I have also gone back to two other therapists after being away for a summer or a school year. My therapists have always seemed happy to see me again.

I get that if can feel awkward before you reach out, but it likely won't be awkward to see her again if you had a good connection before. Maybe it's your anxiety that is making this extra difficult? (Which is all the more reason to contact her!)

Both T and L have told me that they'll remain my therapist for as long as they don't move, retire, or die. I'm currently not seeing T because I prefer L right now, but if I ever want or need to, I could see T again.

Why not? Take the risk and contact her.

You worked well together and she was helpful. The way I see it, you have nothing to lose.

IF she were to say no (though, why should she..) at least you tried.

Thank you for that encouragement, LT!

I appreciate you sharing your positive experience. That's helpful. Thank you!

Good point about therapists being extra busy right now. Thanks for the encouragement and insight.

Ahhh, you are so right. What's first the chicken or the egg-- anxiety or awkwardness??!!!? 9 times out of 10-- anxiety. Thank you for pointing that out and being so encouraging.

Good point that she needs to have boundaries if she doesn't want to work together again. Thank you for sharing.

It's definitely not weird going back to a therapist, it makes sense because they already understand a lot of your journey; you're not having to waste time going over everything again with someone new.

I don't think its weird at all going back to the same therapist who has been helpful to you

I've been considering contacting a therapist who was mostly ok to me (apart from a few issues..) She had said I could contact her again if I wanted to have therapy again with her. I saw this therapist for a year. I was probably ''highly resistant'' having been harmed by a previous therapist. I think I could have helped her to be more effective in her therapeutic endeavours with me if I had not been so untrusting (but I had good reason not to be trusting .. due to the things that other therapist did )