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Sending Hope Issue #7

When your therapist leaves or changes.

Hi ,

Have you ever found an amazing psychologist only to have them change practices, go on extended leave, retire or alike? Or perhaps you have been the one that has moved away and had to leave a therapist behind.

The end of a therapeutic relationship can feel like another barrier to recovery, but we’re here to assure you that it doesn’t have to be! We've spoken to our team of psychologists here at EDV who have shared their top tips to help you honour the work that you’ve done with your therapist and prepare you for continuing the journey with someone new.

Acknowledge the grief

It’s totally normal for this time to feel like the end of any other significant relationship and it’s important to acknowledge the emotions that go with this. Grief is an incredibly powerful emotion that can often shock you with its intensity. You might feel silly for feeling like you need to grieve this relationship, but be assured that this is totally normal. It's important you communicate this with your therapist, especially if you’ve experienced issues with abandonment or neglect in the past.

Honour the work you’ve done together

Whilst you may feel that the personal connection you have with your therapist is a defining factor of your relationship, it’s actually the work that you’ve done together that counts. Take the time to reflect together on the amazing work you’ve done and the progress you’ve made.  Acknowledge your personal strengths that have contributed to your recovery as well as the challenges you’ve faced. Talk about what's been helpful/unhelpful during the therapeutic relationship. Discuss what your future treatment goals are. This will help give you a solid foundation to start from with your new therapist.

Another way to honour your relationship can be through having a transitional object. This can be something that can be kept as a symbolic representation of the work you’ve done together, as well as a comfort to you during the time of transition. Examples include:
 - a recorded voice message from your therapist, maybe a guided mindfulness exercise
 - a certain word or phrase that your therapist repeats regularly, maybe written down
 - a card or a letter from your therapist that you can keep with you and read when needed

Ensure you’re empowered

Ideally, your therapist will guide you through this processes to ensure you have the tools at your disposal to make empowered decisions about your next steps. Here are some key things you should talk about with your current therapist if you get a chance:

· What treatment approach has been working for you?  This is important to consider when finding a new therapist.

·  Will your current therapist help you find a new therapist? Do they have any suggestions?

·  What are your other options if you choose to find a new therapist on your own? (This is where the EDV Hub can help!)

·  Will your therapist be providing a handover to your new therapist?

·  Is there an opportunity for a joint session with your current and new therapist?

Rally your team

During this time of transition you may find that you need to rely on your other supports more than you were before. If there is a gap between seeing a new therapist, you may want to increase your sessions with other professionals you may see. You might also want to connect with community groups, such as a recovery support group, to keep your momentum going. If you have supportive family and friends, it’s important that you let them know about the changes happening in your life so that they can be there for you too.

 We also run a wide range of support and information events across Victoria.

Remember, if you need to talk to someone, please give our Helpline a call during business hours on 1300 550 236, or email edv@eatingdisorders.org.au

For urgent support please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

Eating Disorders Victoria respect and welcome diversity of culture, religion, gender and sexuality.