Posted by Waterlily on April 29, 2004, at 15:59:54
Wow. Termination was much easier than I ever imagined. I've been in therapy for three years now, seeing my therapist about every two weeks. I also see a psychiatrist for meds and I will continue to do so. When I started therapy I wondered how I'd ever survive without it. I read someplace that if your therapist has done their job, then when it's time to let go it will be easy, a natural transition. It was definitely that for me.
I fully expect that I will endure another major depression in my lifetime. In the meantime I'm doing well, dealing with the blows that come my way, am more outgoing, and more spontaneous. My relationship with my husband of 15 years is better and I feel a lot more comfortable going to him to vent and talk about everything. I have days that I'm grumpy, but overall I internalize it less. I'm less apt to turn things around on myself and am not blaming myself every time my husband or kids are not happy.
I made my therapist a stained glass butterfly to put on the huge window in her office. I wrote on the back of the wings "Free to be me... Thank you Dr.--- From (I wrote my first name and last initial)". She liked it a lot and asked if I minded if she put it on her window. She told me that she has asked my insurance company for a few more sessions in case I ever need them and told me that if I ever wonder if I need another session, to call her and she'll be happy to discuss it. Since we both work in the same medical complex, she asked me what I'd like her to do if we run into each other on campus. I told her that I doubted anyone would know that I was a patient of hers and that she was welcome to aknowledge me.
It was nice. I left there feeling like she really cares and that our work is done. I think she probably has a sense of satisfaction that she did a good job. Who knows? I may still need a booster session, but for now I feel at peace with myself.
poster:Waterlily
thread:341409
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040426/msgs/341409.html