h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi there.

Well, I got the extremely bad news this week that my therapist is leaving Memphis. I have been seeing her for 11 years, and am very, very close to her. She has gotten a job offer making twice as much with benefits, so I can't blame her for moving. Next month I will have to begin trying to find a new therapist I like even half as much. I have several good recommendations. In the meantime, I am a teary-eyed wreck, and may not post much this week.

JEllen

Oh no, JEllen! that's too bad. And after such a long time too and not really much notice. I'm sorry to hear this. I've been seeing mine since 1996 I think. I have tried to quit therapy several times but never seem to finish. I would still rather be the one to end therapy before she moves, changes jobs or retires. I hope you can find someone else who will work for you. Can you take some time to find someone?

I have some recommendations from my therapist, and some from friends, and I daresay, I may try them all, because I don't want just a therapist I can tolerate, I want one I "click with" like I did with Linda. There was nothing I couldn't tell her - she is a rare jewel.

This is certainly a stress you don't want. Will it help to think of it as an opportunity to gain some fresh perspectives? But, yes, it can be hard to find somebody with whom you feel a rapport.

Here in the UK, my "therapy" consists of seeing a consultant trick cyclist every month or to. The session lasts about 15 minutes, and basically it's about gaugeing my mood and seeing if my medication needs adjusting. I also have contact with a Community Psychiatric Nurse whose job is to keep a long term relationship so that he can also check on my mood. Both are decent enough guys, and the shrink was very useful last year when he found me daycare instead of hospitalisation when I was v. depressed. But our psychiatric services leave a lot to be desired. I used to go to a councellor (before I had my major hypomanic episode) from a charitable organisation who offered services on a "pay what you can afford" basis. But I'd really appreciate some kind of talking therapy from someone experienced in b-p disorder.

But enough about me. Good luck in finding someone new. Remember - whoever you find, it will be a struggle to trust her/him in the early days/weeks/months.

You poor thing, loads and loads of luck in finding another one. Least you know her recommendations will be good.

Heres to looking forward to someone new, to explore your feelings with...

..and altho it's sad that someone you were comfortable with is going...like you say, its nice that she is going forward and moving up in her profession - sounds like she deserves it, being as she cares about her patients

I'm sure you'll connect in a different way to someone new...just remember it'll be a different connection so don't go looking for the same as what you had with Linda... You prolly didn't need me to say that, even

Ellen, sad news for you
Maybe she will let you take a photo of her.
A gift of a photo from you might also help her, therapists get nervous about life changes too.

When you have been with somebody that long you begin to know what they might say when you feel the need to talk. You are better off for having known her and that experience and learning will never be taken away. Most of your gains are due to you doing the workSpeaking of that so glad you got through most of your medication changes first!

Good she has referrals for you.
MV makes an important point about therapists being different and you need to give them a fair chance. I am sure there will be some you can eliminate due to practicalities like location- times et.

All new one on one relationships are unique but have great potential . You will learn new perspectives and ask yourself new questions which is kind of exciting too! You'll gain more confidence being validated by another trusted professional. There are many hidden pluses to having more than one good experience with a professional.

I hope it will not take too long to find another person.
You might want to make a list of negatives and positives(yourself-linda- therapy) and personal goals ready for your interviews.

No real therapy is 15 minutes!I hate hearing that and very sorry it is the case for many who need more humane help
That is barely enough for a medication check-updateTerrible!

Ellen you are very warm, open to learning and progressing , intelligent , not shy about talking so you will be a dream client to work with!

I have never managed to do what you have done, ie: trust someone enough to open up, so i can only imagine the loss you must be feeling.



zdt

Hey JEllen I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your therapist! You had something good there, in fact what amounts to a relationship more meaningful, stable and enduring than many marriages! I really do hope you find someone else ... you're perfectly right in wanting a therapist you 'click' with rather than one you can merely 'tolerate'.

Anyways I just want to say I loved the flower photos you sent me! Thanks very much!

Hi JEllen, sorry I only just saw this and stopped by to give you a

Hi everyone,

I've been extremely busy this week, so Linda's leaving hasn't really sunk in. I've been going to book club, singles group, and volunteered at a car wash fund raiser. So it is good that I have been keeping busy. I think the hard part will come a couple months from now, when I really want to tell Linda something, and can't.

Some good news -- I finished a painting, one of an ocean goddess. I've had it lying around for a few years, and finally worked up the nerve to tackle the hardest part - the face. Feels good to finally finish it.

JEllen

I had the priviledge of seeing the painting.
It's very lovely!
Beautiful face.

JEllen, Just came from the Ren Fest and I'm exhausetd but thought I'd drop by and say "hi". I'm glad to hear you finished that painting. It sounds beautiful.

"hi's" to Willem and abbi too.

Hi JEllen

I would love to see the ocean goddess painting.

It's good that you're keeping busy. Sometimes I think it's better not to let things set in so quickly, to be honest.

If you do feel at a loss at times and want to tell Linda something and can't, and aren't comfortable enough to tell your new therapist yet (I have yet to feel comfortable enough with a shrink to tell them much of anything..), I hope that you know you can talk to me.

Your friends are here to help you through this! And keep busy! It helps!

I just got the Ocean Goddess paintings email, JEllen. Thanks so much for forwarding them.

Hi PC. Sorry I missed you on line. I'm busy again, I guess.

s to all.

A big hello to HBjoy
**********

I want some color ink and nice paper to have a desk views of Ellens and others work that I have seen with their permissions.

Hmm maybe Christmas list items

~waves~

Hi abbi!

Jellen do you know when your last appointment is?

Hi Abbi,

Yes, my last appointment with therapist is September 14 at 3pm. I have not set up an appointment with a new therapist yet.

JEllen

I'll be thinking of you.