Posted by DaisyM on March 12, 2004, at 18:17:13
In reply to Can't Stop Crying, posted by Raindancer on March 12, 2004, at 15:46:48
Raindancer,
I'm sorry for your heart-break. You should not be so hard on yourself, you did face up to this before. Like everything else in therapy, learning to be OK without therapy is a process. You experienced a few weeks without him, lived through it, and now you have to do it again. You will find the strength, it is there, you've built the foundation with him.
Initially good-byes are always sad and devastating. I hate them and personally avoid them as much as I can. BUT, I think a closure plan is critically important here. When is your last session? Have you thought about what you would like to say...what you would like to hear? (Besides he has changed his mind and is staying...) Is there something small in the office you would like as a keepsake? Or something you could give him? Is a follow up phone call possible? Can you send emails?
There are possibilities to make this somewhat easier. I don't think you should just slam the door on another Therapist either. What does your current Therapist say? Does he think you really are ready to be done, aside from missing him? Or, would he recommend someone for a short period of consultative work.
This intimacy is such a double-edge sword. I'm sorry for your pain. We've talked about self-care strategies before -- can you think of a few to get you through the weekend? I'll be around so post and I'll answer.
I wish I could find some really wise words to remind you how valuable the time you've spent with him has been, and to tell you that it has been worth it. Endings are just disguised beginnings. God puts people in our path for a reason, each contributing to our life in a unique way. Please take care and know I am think about you.
Daisy
poster:DaisyM
thread:323678
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040308/msgs/323716.html