Poll How Do You Leave Therapy?

[Cool Cat]

@scout86 like I wonder is it a rhetorical question. I fully understand that for my therapists welfare he can't wait behind with every client but I do wonder what they would do if you said what you quoted

 

[scout86]

I can't answer for your situation and I've never tried it but...... In my own case, I am SO reluctant to admit to having a problem of any sort, if I ever did I'm pretty sure my T would take it VERY seriously. I don't think it really IS a rhetorical question. I think it's a chance to ask for help if you feel so inclined.

What I would EXPECT my T to do, and any one else's too, is stop and deal with the situation, how ever long it took. Even if he/she was late getting home or late for their next appointment.

I have situations come up all the time where events with one client make me late for the next one. If someone has a problem with that, too bad! My goal is to dedicate 100% time and attention with the first client, finish what needs doing, and THEN move on. What goes around comes around. If I'm late to your house today, I may be late BECAUSE of your situation the next time.

 

[falling_wave]

I always get up and thank her. The last comment as I walk out is always a little awkward and my T has me shut the door behind me so this is a little awkward but I know I'm supposed to do it so at least I don't have to worry about not doing the right thing. She usually leaves me pretty grounded from whatever we work on so I am ok but sometimes I sit in the car and think about what went on in session for a few minutes before I leave.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I gather my things as we chat while I'm leaving. For the first few months I went to him, he would stand at the door with his hand on the doorknob and it made me feel trapped. I finally asked him not to and he apologized. If I've had a flashback during our session I can't walk straight. He follows me to the waiting room, gets me water and goes back to his office. I can stay as long as I want, but he carries on with his time.

 

[Ocean5]

It's a small private practice. She always walks me to her office at beginning, and after to practice manger to schedule next meeting (while she writes meeting notes staying nearby.) I think this may have something to do with first meeting, I kept asking practice manger about billing (like 5 times before I could hear her and understand!) I dissociate.

But I always feel awkward walking into her office..not sure what to say. I just need to put my things down and sit down.

Once out of office I feel disoriented. Trying to get myself together. I use to call a taxi. Now I walk through park to train. Sometimes trying to digest things, sometimes very weak....sometimes just trying to remember my way back (large park) and afraid I will get lost (which isn't something I'm ever afraid of) - Right after I leave I feel weird and vulnerable. Trying to compose myself and understand things. But I think that would be normal.

 

[Ocean5]

I often leave not fully grounded and can be dizzy or not fully 'there' leaving therapy. I have lost things leaving therapy including a debit card.

Can relate all to well...and reason I walk through park after...but leaving things.... My doc had taken in next patient, and runs out to hand me my pepper spray that fell out of pocket onto couch. Saying she didn't want me to be without it. Seriously made me wonder how upset I must have been to have it fall out of pocket - since I always stay sitting upright.

 

[Lucycat]

I don't leave at the end of therapy- my T does. When he stands to leave I follow him across my living room, through the kitchen and to the back door. He will usually be talking to me about something non-therapy related throughout. He will open the back door himself and walk through, I thank him again and close the door behind him.

 

[Friday]

Increasingly, I'm not. I'm sitting out in the parking lot for several hours until my head clears. Even if I took the train. Just so I don't end up on a plane to Morocco or something while in a daze. I've done that before all dazed and confused... Although one of the benefits of being broke means I rarely wake up on a plane these days. But I have woken up on the train, several hours away, when my car is in the parking lot, because I forgot I drove... And I've sort of trailed around the city making odd purchases, looking for my car, because I forgot I took the train. It's a little irritating. I'm not usually this much of a ditz.

I'm considering next time just driving down and sleeping in the back of the van. It's very tiring being an idiot. I think I'd really like a nap before I venture out on my own, next time.

 

[KwanYingirl]

Stressed out? Dissociative? Maybe, but you are NOT an idiot. And if you happen to see me wandering around, I'll have just left therapy too. Worrying about forgetting how to drive a car often causes me to go off trauma talk to benign conversation. It's hard!!!

 

[pancake_platter]

I usually glance at the clock, finish up, put away my handkerchief and stand up. My therapist stands up too and wishes I have a good weekend doing whatever I told him in the beginning of the session. He walks me out to the counter. Only at this last session when I was a mess did he express he doesn't know why he follows me out (Although I think he says that so he doesn't appear too worried so I may not talk to him) and I joked about how exercise is always good. Knowing when to wrap up is always awkward, though.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I've never had issues with leaving sessions