Posted by Pfinstegg on November 21, 2003, at 21:31:54
In reply to Re: Therapists who terminate - a question » Penny, posted by Dinah on November 21, 2003, at 19:08:04
There certainly are therapists who can't handle all the complexities of transference and countertransference with particular patients and who * solve* the anxiety this causes them by terminating them. This happened to me when I was in my twenties, and it hurt terribly for a long time.
But I think good therapists take some time to commit to their patients, and, when they do, one can count on their continued commitment. Mine even said right at the beginning that therapists (or analysts anyway) now have a more humble view of termination. He thinks that even when both people involved feel that really good changes have occurred in therapy, and a lot of the work is essentially done, that it is best not to close the door completely, but for the patients to know that they can always return, or. for some, that they will always be returning- just less frequently. This has taken such a weight off my mind, but I know I'm really lucky this time around.
However, I know that a number of people here have had horrible experiences with rejection by therapists when they were the most dependent and vulnerable. It's a good topic to explore more fully.
Pfinstegg
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:282173
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20031114/msgs/282329.html