Transitioning out of therapy

[NewGirl]

Hello!

I’ve gone through the whole realm of PTSD - symptoms, diagnoses, denial, treatment, acceptance, symptom relapse, denial, improvement, relapse again, acceptance, back on my feet and doing well! Etc

I have been going to a fab therapist for about 10 months now. I feel like I am finally in an ok place. I’ve gotten through one of the toughest parts of the year and managed all of my symptoms.

I’m still symptomatic, sometimes badly symptomatic, but I’m managing well, probably the best I have post-trauma. And no medications. Had this not been a super tough time of year for me (related to the trauma), I wonder if I would have been ok.

We’re discussing cutting back to biweekly appointments as oppose to weekly. When I’m well, this feels ok (minus a little fear that if I have a bad week I don’t have help). When I’m not well, this is terrifying. Though, I’ve been mostly ok, and I’m not sure what else we can work on. I’ve shared my fears with the therapist in the past.

My appt yesterday we discussed at length how well I was feeling and doing - which felt so good. I shared my fear of a relapse and she said “I don’t think you will! You have an understanding of the trauma and of the symptoms and how to work with them now”. I’m not as confident - as we’ve been here before and then crash.

That being said, even just 3 weeks ago I was desperately wishing that the trauma HAD killed me - I just wanted my symptoms to go away. (I did not ever share this with her though)

I’m worried that this managing ok phase could end just as the horrible phases of intense symptoms do.

My question - how do you know WHEN and HOW to transition out of therapy? How do you know when you are ready? I’m scared.

 

[Missycat]

Its a good question .. and i can understand your fear. I felt exactly like you did , although i knew i was stronger and feeling a lot better i was still afraid of not having t there and afraid of a relapse. After talking my fears through with my t and working on addressing them we then agreed on a potential end date . This allowed us to focus on supporting me to get ready and be strong enough , how to use the skills i learned and developed , deal with all the emotional stuff of a strong relationship ending ... it was hard at first but i knew i was ready and working with my t i started to become excited about my emancipation and about how much i had grown.
So my advice is .. work with your t on ending therapy so you can be best prepared and excited to move forwards.
I wish you all the best.

 

[hithere]

start by lengthening the time between sessions. I personally believe you will know when it's time because you will want to do something else with all the time that therapy takes up and you will want to spend your money on other things. Your brain will lock it in that your therapist is just a person who doesn't really have anything to offer you. Sorry it's scary right now. Hopefully you can talk about your attachment to your therapist openly, that seems to help the most. Good Luck.

 

[NewGirl]

thanks. It’s not an attachment thing at all. It’s a fear of going backwards thing.

 

[Justmehere]

Relapses happen from time to time. They are a pretty common part of recovery, inside or outside of therapy. But I wouldn’t let the fear of a relapse hold you back from trying a few weeks of biweekly sessions and seeing how it goes.

I’d suggest talking to her about a plan if you do start to go backwards. Perhaps there could be the possibility of returning back to weekly sessions, or adding in other tools.

 

[hithere]

thanks. It’s not an attachment thing at all. It’s a fear of going backwards thing.

are you afraid her schedule will become full and you will need support but she won't be able to fit you in?

 

[EveHarrington]

I don’t think that being highly symptomatic at times is when you should transition out of therapy.

 

[NewGirl]

i think the key is that I seem to be managing the highly symptomatic times well. They’re much less frequent and I’m navigating them ok. For now. Knock on wood!

Such a scary weird thing to think about.

 

[Abstract]

My question - how do you know WHEN and HOW to transition out of therapy? How do you know when you are ready? I’m scared.

I think an important question is wether you have processed all the trauma. You obviously have excellent skills and present day coping. Are implementing these and therefore managing your symptoms, up or down, well. But if you have more unprocessed trauma your entire trauma symptom norm should be able to be improved.

 

[NewGirl]

I can only hope it’s all been processed!

 

[Abstract]

Wonderful! So you have covered it all? With a processing therapy that worked for you?

 

[NewGirl]

I hope so. I didn’t really know I had PTSD until I went in for what I assumed to be anxiety. We’ve addressed the trauma and the somatic stuff that comes with.