- Many of you have asked for me to show you
the different ways that therapy can end.
Some wanting me to address how it should happen
and others asking for ways we can tell
our therapist is not the best fit.
So let's get into the different ways that therapy can end.
Hi, Katie, it's so nice to see you.
I know we have been lessening our sessions
to only twice a month
and I just wanted to check in and see how that's going.
- Well, to be honest, I was really nervous about it.
I thought maybe I would fall back
into my old habits or feel bad
about not having our weekly time together
but it was actually pretty good.
I felt fine not coming in last week.
But I'll be honest,
I was really looking forward to our session today.
So I'm not sure if that's good or bad.
- There's no judgment
about looking forward to a therapy session.
I just wanted to see how it went
and it sounds like every other week is okay for now.
Are you okay if we keep our sessions
to two times a month for now and just see how it goes?
- Yeah, I think so.
But if I need to increase them later on, can I do that?
- Of course, since you've been doing so well
using all of your new coping skills
and we have less and less to work through,
we're just seeing how often you need therapy.
And like we've discussed, even if we decide
that you wanna take a break from therapy,
you can always call me and make an appointment
and come right back anytime you need.
Hi, Katie, it's so nice to see you.
How have the past three weeks been?
Have you felt okay coming in only once a month?
- Yeah, actually I think I'm ready
to stop coming for a while.
- Wow, that's awesome.
- Even saying it out loud,
that just sounds kind of scary.
- Yeah, I know.
- But I can always call and get back in
if I need to, right?
- Of course, I am just so proud of you
and the fact that you're doing so well.
You can always reach out
and I will find a time to see you.
Just keep using those impulse logs, upholding
those pesky boundaries, and you are going to do great.
Hi Katie, good to see you.
How has the past week been?
- Good to see you too.
It's honestly been okay. - That's awesome.
- I've been upholding some boundaries with my mom
and doing my best to take some me time
when I need it.
Overall, I guess it's been pretty good
and I feel pretty good.
I mean, I feel like I'm getting to a point where
I'm not sure what to really bring up
when I see you or what we need to talk about.
- Yeah, I've noticed that too.
Things seem to be pretty good.
We can take a break from seeing each other
for a while if you want, or give it a few weeks
and see how you feel then.
- Let's give it a few weeks
'cause I'm not really quite ready
to not have the support just yet.
Maybe at the end of the month
we can take a break and then see how it goes
and I can call you if you need another appointment, right?
- Yes of course, you can always call
and make an appointment when you need to.
It just feels like you're doing well
and don't need to come in every week right now.
But I'm not going anywhere,
so just give me a call if you wanna pop in for a session.
- Okay, that sounds good.
I mean, I can't believe
we're even talking about this.
A year ago when I came to see you
I couldn't have imagined a day when I wouldn't need
at least weekly appointments, if not twice a week.
- I know, right?
But that's because you've been working really hard
and pushing yourself each and every week.
I mean, remember some of those first homework assignments
that were really uncomfortable but you tried them anyway.
- Oh my God yeah, I do remember that.
Oh, that was really hard.
- Exactly, but you kept at it.
And tried it again and again
until it wasn't so terrible or uncomfortable anymore.
You have done so much work and come so far
and I'm really proud of you. - Oh, thanks.
- Well, I will see you next week and we will plan
on ending our weekly sessions at the end of the month.
But you can always call
if you wanna get back in, sound good?
- Yeah, I think so.
- Okay, I'll see you next week.
Hi Katie, it's good to see you.
How was your week been?
- It was okay, I guess.
- Oh, okay, well how has work been?
Any other issues there?
- I mean, work has been okay, no new issues.
Can I tell you something?
- Of course you can.
What's on your mind?
- Could you give me some other names of therapists to see?
I don't feel like this is a good fit for me.
And I don't wanna be rude or anything, but
- Of course, I am so glad you let me know.
It's important that you feel comfortable
and good about this relationship.
I would be more than happy to give you some other people
who could be a better fit for you.
Is there anything in particular you prefer?
Like, would you prefer to see a male
or someone older, younger, someone with a certain specialty?
- Oh my God, thank you for being so understanding.
I was really stressed out about this.
And I don't know.
I mean, I guess I prefer seeing a female,
but yeah, someone older would be good.
and just someone that's close by.
I don't really wanna have to deal with traffic
that will just stress me out even more.
- I've got it, okay.
I will give it some thought and make some calls
and email you those names by the end of the week.
Is that okay?
I just wanna make sure that they are taking patients
before I give you their info.
- Oh yeah, I didn't even think of that.
Oh, okay, that sounds good.
Thank you so much.
- Happy to help.
Now, would you prefer to keep seeing me
until you find someone else?
Or would you like this to be our last session?
Again, No worries either way.
- Oh, I didn't know that I could do that
but I think I would prefer for this to be our last session.
- Okay, it sounds good.
And I completely understand.
So just keep a look out for my email
and hopefully you're able to find someone you connect with.
It's been great getting to know you a bit
over these past few weeks.
- Thank you, I will.
And thank you for being
so understanding. - Of course.
Hey Katie, it's so great to see you.
How has your week been?
I know we've been communicating over texts a lot lately
but I just wanted to check in
and see how you're doing today.
- It's just been so overwhelming.
I had the worst week or year really
if I start thinking about it.
I just can't seem to do anything.
And I don't know what to do.
- I know, it's been really rough for you for a while now.
And I wondered if you'd be open
to considering a more intensive treatment.
- What does that mean?
Coming in more than once a week?
I can maybe do that.
- No, not exactly.
What I was thinking was that
we look into some day programs for you
so that you have like group therapy, one-on-one therapy
and just more support each day.
I think that may be what we need
in order to get you out of this rut and feeling better.
- Wait, so I wouldn't be able to see you anymore?
- Not exactly, you would see a therapist
and psychiatrist at the treatment center.
And then when you're out of that program
you can definitely come back
and see me once or twice a week, depending on what you need.
So for a short time, we wouldn't be seeing each other
but I will be here when you get out.
- How long do I have to be there?
- That's a great question.
And it honestly would all depend on your needs.
And that's something that we can ask the treatment center
when we find one that fits for you.
I have found a couple in the area that I think could work.
Would you be open to looking into them?
- Yeah, I guess so.
So what if I don't want to
or don't like the ones that are available?
Like I don't wanna just go anywhere.
- Well, we can keep looking.
But what we're doing now
isn't making things any better for you.
- Yeah, I know.
It's just a scary thought.
But we can start looking into it.
And can I see you at least
until I find a place that works
or one that I can afford.
- Of course, I will be here to support you and get you there
and then I'll be here when you get out.
- Okay, okay thanks.
- I know therapy ending can be a scary thing.
But I hope that these different scenarios showed you
that it can actually be a positive experience.
Or at least showed you how it can be done in a positive way.
Most of the time ending therapy really means
that we're doing so well, we don't need it anymore.
So let that sink in.
Allow yourself to be proud of all you've accomplished.
And if you find yourself not connecting
with your therapist, know that that's okay too.
We just have to speak up so that
we can find someone we do relate to.
And finally, if you are needing a higher level of care,
it's okay to ask for it and make it happen.
Too often, we put off getting the level of care we need
and suffer for longer as a result.
Reaching out and speaking up is courageous
and I am so proud of each and every one of you
who has taken the leap and gotten the help that you need.
Thank you so much for watching
and I will see you next time, bye.