Posted by Rigby on June 11, 2008, at 11:14:11
In reply to Re: extended my break again » Rigby, posted by raisinb on June 10, 2008, at 20:29:46
I think one of the reasons I decided to end my therapy was because I felt that staying somewhere--anywhere--simply because it was too hard to say goodbye was not reason enough to stay. And I felt that objectively I'd accomplished some pretty major things for me.
I do think that leaving on a good note, at least for me, was important. I even spent a little bit more money than I wanted to to make this happen.
I think long term therapy is a sort of a slippery slope because you become attached and while attachment and transference are good things to work things through, it also makes leaving very, very hard. And there is a part of me that thinks that therapists are not hugely motivated to move you out and through therapy--long term clients mean a steady stream of income. It's a somewhat jaded thought but it's also realistic too. I think therapists also likely think that clients can continue to benefit from therapy when for financial, emotional and/or psychological reasons it may be best for us to move on.
I read and highly recommend that book about leaving therapy--I think it's called How To Say Goodbye To Your Therapist. The basic message is that, for the most part, you'll be *fine* and that people do fine if not better after they leave.
poster:Rigby
thread:833754
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20080524/msgs/834152.html