Posted by Rigby on September 14, 2007, at 21:24:44
In reply to Third time's the charm: termination, posted by gardenergirl on September 13, 2007, at 19:09:22
Hey GG,
I pop in here every once in a while and noticed your post. Congrats--it's a big decision.
I finished up my therapy last November. It was hard the first few weeks and then became easier. What I think was hardest for me was coming to terms with "this is who I am" vs. thinking therapy would continue to change me. There are things that are uncomfortable about being me that always will be there for me and there's some level of acceptance that takes some time--at least for me.
I wanted to finish up because I felt the main reason I was staying in therapy was because I didn't want to say goodbye. Not wanting to say goodbye is not a good reason for staying anywhere. I had some many endings--including therapy--during that period that it all seemed to fit together.
If you haven't read it already, "When To Say Goodbye To Your Therapist" is a great book. They say in there that many people make or continue to make significant changes after therapy and this was the case with me. Also, what you learn in therapy about your past gets more tempered or put into perspective--not sure if that makes sense but losing some of the intensity that therapy provides also gives you a little more balance (e.g. my mother wasn't completely evil!)
Anyway, I'm "babbling" but wanted to chime in. And, if it's not time when the day comes it's not time (sounds like you've had some false starts.) I tapered to once/month for three months before I had my final appt.
Rigby
poster:Rigby
thread:782734
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070904/msgs/782971.html