I’m wondering if it would be reasonable to meet with a new therapist to process the ending of a recent therapeutic relationship. Has anyone ever done this? Was it helpful? In brief, I was with my therapist for 4.5 years, took a break for 4 months (was not sure if I’d come back or not), then asked to come back, but he has no openings. He sees people long-term, and I am only free to see a therapist one day per week due to my work schedule, so based on that, it may be ages before I can ever see him again, and possibly never. I had brought up my anxiety around endings quite a bit and he said I could come back if I wanted, but it hadn’t occurred to me that he wouldn’t have availability. We never talked about that scenario. I could get over it on my own, but I was definitely attached and have those moments where I wake up in the night feeling the sting and panic of abandonment. I do know generally where those feelings come from. Do I process it on my own and let it just fade with time, or might it make sense to discuss with another therapist?
I’m sorry that when it came down to logistics he wasn’t able to find an opening for you. The feelings you mention having about it seem very normal given the situation.
I would suggest getting on his wait list, but not holding your breath or anything.
And yes, I think it would make a lot of sense to see a new therapist, even if for a short time, to process through what happened and your feelings about it.
