[Taonuviel]

Ok, so I've been seeing a T through my uni, and I like him. But he's not working over the summer; I can only see him 1 or 2 more times until he's gone until fall. He says I can see someone else over the summer if I want, though I'm not sure how I feel about that. And in the fall I don't know if I'll be back for sure - I'm applying into a master's program, but have concerns on whether I'll be accepted to it, and those courses are held on another campus, too. The campuses are about 30 minutes apart and there's a free bus that runs between, so I can get there but I don't know how it will look schedule-wise... I may have to consider switching to a T on this other campus... :-/
Anyway, I don't know what to do aout this summer, I need to decide whether I should see a different T in the summer... and I'm nervous about this stuff...

(I don't know how coherent I'm being, I'm pretty tired.)

[phoenix7]

If you like this T can you stick with him? I find it hard to start again with a new T - hope you sort this out - take care P7

[mightaswelllive]

food for thought: if you decide to start with someone else for the summer you might find you like them better than current t. you don't have to go back to him if it feels uncomfortable. the perspective of a different t might really help you out. just make sure that if you feel like you need to go, you go. don't ignore intense feelings and the need for growth just because you t is taking a summer vacation

[googley]

Hi,
I had similar problems when I was in college. What to do about the summer time? What I did was found a T/pdoc (who in the end wasn't able to provide what I needed but that is another story.) who would see me over the summer. My T from during the year and I planned out what I was going to specifically work on during the summer with this T. In my case since I was moving home to an abusive environment it was working on ways to be safe and find ways to get out of my parents house when I could. This planned issue that I was going to work on made it easier for me to see someone for a short time without having to open up everything I was dealing with because we knew it was going to be for a short time. We had a focus that allowed me to get what I needed in the time frame avaliable. I did know that I was going back to my previous T though. If you do this and find you really like this T and want to continue with him/her then you could defenitetly open up more with more issues etc. This way you would go in with a specific plan for the summer. I don't really know what to suggest about next school year, but I hope that it works out the best for you. And I hope my post made sense.

[Christina86]

Oh, how I know the feeling... I've mostly seen therapists that I clicked with through my university. Stupid summer break!!

It depends on how much you think you can cope, really.

I saw my T for 8 months, then she went on vacation. I tried to see another person, went to ONE meeting where she scared the crap out of me (she was all sorts of trendy and floaty and ... hippy? crazy? something like that. Think long hair, long skirt and talked of proper nutrition to cure depression and crap) ... so I survived for 4 months without seeing a therapist. I actually enjoyed it, because it made me rely on my own resources.

But I know that's not for everyone I know...

Perhaps ask your T for a recommendation for someone who they think you might like for the summertime??

[Rapunzel]

That's a difficult and confusing situation. I know that I would tend to hold out for the T I am attached to if possible, because switching and starting over is stressful and scary and hard. But I'm not sure that would be the best thing to do.

You need to sort out your needs and priorities, and do what will help you to move towards them. You and your T who knows you would know that the best - whether you need a T over the summer, or if there might be other options for support until T is back in the fall (journaling, self-help or homework, email, support group, ...). We'll be here for you whatever else you decide. It's hard to know what to choose, but try to figure out what is best for you. And in any case, please take good care of you.

[Rapunzel]

Christina, I hope I'm not that scary, but you basically described me. Long hair, I like to wear long skirts (but don't usually where I work now), and have been known to talk about balanced eating and balance in a lot of aspects of life, ... Some of my clients keep asking me if I'm a hippy. Hmm. I wouldn't call myself trendy at all though, but I've been accused of being crazy, and I guess I failed to deny it too. Sometimes I'm pretty floaty too, but I try to keep that under control.

Anyway, Tao, if you can find what your goal is for the summer, and stay focused on it, and do what helps you to get to where you want or need to be, you'll be ok.

[Christina86]

My dear Rap, you couldn't be, because you don't terrify the crap out of me... she was the one telling me that my depression could be cured by "eating healthy" and "positive thoughts".

*headdesk* Forgetting the fact I was on antidepressants at the time... she scared the crud out of me... People who smile too much weird me out. I think it was just something about her... other friends like her as a counsellor... me, not so much. Then again, she didn't believe me about my whole dissociation and depression thing.

I've had weird experiences with people who think life can be "cured" through positivity and healthy eating ... including my physical disability. *headdesk* So I'm probably biased against them a bit.

But YOU, my dear Rap have a smart head on your shoulders and clearly know what you're talking about. Oh, and you give great advice and are compassionate and actually read/"listen" to what people say in order to help.