I would reframe to begin with, as finding a different way to think about things? Helps me find solutions.
For example :
1 - (Rather than being surprised?)
Okay! I have a few months to prepare myself / to smooth the transition / to plan for the best way to make this transition. Soooooo⦠what can I start planning, or outlining? What do I need most? What do I want most? Do I want to continue on in this
type of therapy, or look for a new modality? Can I mock up a brief trauma timeline & goals for therapy & interview questions? Would it be more helpful for me to spend these last months with my old T helping me organise, or should we carry on as we have, and Iāll prepare in my own time?
2 - (Rather than being angry at when/how soon: You didnāt say you were, this is me sharing my own process, and my knee jerk is to be >.< faaaaaawk dammit Che cazzo merde motherf*cking grrrr >.< )
On the upside? How Super lucky is it theyāre retiring over the holidays?!? As thatās when most therapists are going to be unavailable for large blocks of time, anyway, this gives me the opportunity to:
a) Start fresh in the new year
b) I have time to organise some temporary &/or āin event of emergency break glassā support options to cover those holiday weeks/months
c) What kind of stress management skills/activities can I add into my life, or double down on, to help bridge the gap?
d) How awesome would it be to
always have these extra measures in my back pocket, so my T going on vacation, getting sick, getting in a car wreck doesnāt catch me flat footed & leave me reeling?
3 - (Rather than āhaving to go through it all againā)
a) If my trauma was processed? I would DGAF about going through it all again, so clearly, Iām not done going through it, anyway. This is just my Avoidance pouncing on an opportunity.
b) Switching therapists is a fantastic opportunity to cliff notes up me, my life, my trauma history, my skills, & my goals.
ET CETERA
Itās rubixāing around everything Iām thinking / feeling into solutions, excitement, motivation, & just general usefulness / benefit to me and my life.