BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Q:My therapist told me that she will be retiring in the next few months. I’ve been seeing her for years and I feel that I still need her! She says that she wants me to continue with treatment, but I just don’t think I could ever be comfortable with someone else. What are my options? Should I just stop?

A:

There is a name used to describe the end of therapeutic treatment: termination. It's a serious development in a person's treatment, and one with many implications. When therapy ends for reasons other than the fact treatment has successfully drawn to close—you or your therapist moves out of state, you've changed insurance, your therapist is going on medical leave, etc.—this is known as a “forced termination.” While termination of any kind can be difficult for the patient and the therapist (we connect with people too, after all), in my experience, forced termination tends to be the most difficult to bear.

Despite the very human connection, it's also important to remember that the therapeutic relationship is a professional one; that is, therapists are trained, and in this way, there are probably many gifted clinicians who could do good work with you. In fact, this could be a tremendous opportunity for growth, as new therapists bring a new perspective that might allow you to overcome issues that have been difficult to work past for some time. If you trust your therapist—and it sounds like you do—take her recommendations to heart. Have her recommend someone she can vouch for that she feels would be a good fit for you.

PBHS offers a variety of services including individual psychotherapy and Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP). If you are interested in learning more about our clinicians and their training, please feel free to visit the staff section of our website (http://www.pbhsohio. com/staff).

Anthony McMahon, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist Premier Behavioral Health

Service 8701 Mentor Avenue Mentor 44060

440-266-0770