Survivor to Thriver Manual Chapter 6 - Stage 3, Step 20 Professional Help

Step Twenty Professional Help

By now you are probably thinking about terminating your therapy. You have gained the perspective to understand your feelings and reactions to life events and have the capacity to make additional changes as needed. You feel strong, stable and ready to meet life's challenges. You may well feel that you can be your own therapist now. Nevertheless, the idea of "going out on your own" may bring up feelings of self-doubt, insecurity and possibly even loss. Don't worry. This is normal, even at the lofty height of Step Twenty-one! You have benefitted greatly from this most unusual professional relationship, and the idea of not having its support may be difficult to accept. You may have grown very fond of your therapist, who has become so much more than the person to whom you tell your problems.
Discuss these feelings and thoughts with your therapist. Be aware that you may have conflicting feelings during this time. Give yourself time to be sure that the decision to terminate is the right one. Many survivors prefer a gradual reduction in sessions over an extended period of time, with periodic "check-in" sessions to reinforce all the positive changes they have introduced into their lives. Old feelings and reactions often resurface during the major milestones of life, and many survivors want to return to therapy at these times to further resolve or solidify their changes. In most cases, this will be possible check with your therapist.