How to transfer from one T to another effectively

Hey everyone. I am planning to switch from my current T towards another one that actually knows how to deal with OCD and ADHD (and is hopefully more empathetic). I recently booked to see this T in January, which means I have only a month left with this current T.

I was planning on terminating with my current T after the first session with the new one, but as that will only take place in January I have been wondering whether I should terminate sooner.

Should I already terminate with this current T? And also, do you have any tips on how to smoothly transition from one T to another? Thank you!

You could be honest with your current T and explain why things aren't working out and that you plan on transitioning to a different T that might be a better fit for your needs. The therapeutic relationship is important, and T's know this. Even some of the best T's out there might not be good fits for all people - either because they are not as skilled in an area that the client needs - or because the client's personality doesn't quite match the needs of the T's personality. Good T's know this and are okay with it. Being honest with your T will help you with the transition. You could always just cancel if you don't want to spend the extra money and instead wait to see the next T in January. That's also a possibility, depending on what you get out of therapy from your current T.

The choice is yours.

Hope this helps.

My situation was a little bit different. My T went on maternity leave and found me an interim T. They consulted with each other, I had my intake session with interim T, and then T went on maternity leave a month or so later and I started with interim T. After working with interim T (L), I found she was a better fit, so when T came back, I stayed with L. L and T do updates every once in awhile, and I write to T monthly.

Maybe your current T could consult with new T? If you trust her to. It's up to you when you want to terminate. Many Ts like going through a termination process.

There is no 'should'. It's up to you - if you want to terminate now, do so. If you want a closure session, by all means do so. It depends on what you want and/or what you want to get out of any closure session(s) with T1.

I SO wish I had had this opportunity

I agree with this. When I initially left ex-T to try out current T, I had said I was just going to see him for a month or two, then come back. And if I decided to stay with him, I'd at least come back for a termination session or two. I ended up deciding to stay with him, but never went back for a termination session. I realized I'd be doing it for her, not for me, that I didn't think it would be particularly helpful for me.

And the way I ended, I basically blurted out at the end of session that I was going to try seeing someone else. So it's not even like that last session was any sort of termination. I'd been seeing her for 6 years, so felt sort of guilty for just bailing like that, but it was what I needed to do at the time.

Me too, with ex-T.

That's sort of how I feel about terminating with my current T. I have been seeing her for 2 years now and I am just so scared of making her feel bad! LOL!