Therapist moved away

Therapist moved away

QUESTION:

your avatar   B (40 year-old woman)

I have been seeing the same Psychotherapist for about six years. She has moved out of state. I saw her once a week. I really miss our sessions and her help. I do not want to start over with a new therapist, I cannot imagine going through my life story again. I have been diagnosed with depression, and post traumatic stress. My background includes sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. I had a very dysfunctional family growing up. I am on medication and have a psychiatrist.

Should I find a new therapist and start over (well not totally over, as some things have been worked through)?

ANSWER:

    Thomas H. Schear,

It is sad that your therapist moved without creating some sort of transitional situation for you. She could have identified another local therapist who she felt would provide you a good service and to then work with you and the new therapist to make a transferring of services for her to the new therapist. But that is history.

A new therapist may be one option but after six years of therapy and after some things having been worked through why not concentrate on self-help groups to see if you can go therapy-free. Check your phone book or hospital or newspaper to find out if there is a local Emotions Anonymous or other such self-help or 12-Step group. Participating (emphasis on participating) in such groups can help you to be more self-reliant, turning to the support of two or three sponsors, helping others, all of which can help you to more effectively deal with your own depression, PTSD and other issues. It is up to you but maybe you can take this as an opportunity to just take your medication as prescribed, keep in touch with your psychiatrist, perhaps have someone such as a minister who you can just talk to or touch base with without necessarily engaging in therapy per se, and develop a wider support system. Good luck.

Thomas H Schear

This question was answered by Thomas H Schear. Dr. Schear has over 20 years experience as a front line counselor, clinical supervisor, program director and college instructor. Currently he provides online and telephone counseling service as well as home-study and online course for the helping professional from his website.For more information visit: http://www.ccmsinc.net/

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