Posted by Wittgensteinz on January 8, 2012, at 11:07:46
In reply to Re: Thinking about.........termination....... » Dinah, posted by Twinleaf on January 1, 2012, at 10:15:46
Twinleaf,
I can relate to this. Firstly, thinking about terminating and then the next step of acknowledging those thoughts in front of the therapist - I remember such a session some months ago. My heart was racing and I felt panicked even though it was just my telling him that the thought had been on my mind, not that there were definite plans of some kind. Furthermore, like you, I have a therapist who is older - mine is 72 and I has told me that he plans to continue until 75. I am welcome to continue seeing him until he retires (I suspect he expects I will, but we'll see - I'm considering moving 2+hrs away next September which would make my visits practically speaking a little difficult). In some ways I'd rather leave than be forced to leave, if you know what I mean. In my case, contact after 'the ending' (like Dinah, I also don't much like the word termination - it makes me think of an unwanted pregnancy!) is expected - my therapist has said to me that he'd like to know what happens to me - to keep in touch - he hopes I will write (and presumably he will then write back) and visit on occasion - I'd also find this helpful and easier than simply cutting off contact, never to see or hear of him again.
In my case, I have already reduced my sessions to once a week. I wouldn't really want to reduce them further and nor would he - this works fine for me, although I grieved to begin with (it took about a year before I got completely used to having fewer sessions and still occasionally go for a second session if helpful).
It's great to read how well things are going and the extent to which you have internalized him. That must feel good. My advice with regard to broaching this subject is to take things gently - just allowing yourself to contemplate the idea is already a big thing, and when you are ready you can acknowledge this together with him and sit with it for as long as you want to before having to act on it in some way.
Witti
poster:Wittgensteinz
thread:1005861
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20111220/msgs/1006683.html