Therapist considering discharging me

Therapy and therapist are so individualize. The first therapist I went to I choose because a now deceased friend introduced used years earlier. My thinking in choosing her was if Barb trusted her I can trust her. I do trust her, but her style would piss me off. She had me heading books. Some I really liked others were just dumb. She diagnosed me with generalized anxiety and labeled me codependent. She was very focused on how many sessions I had. She believes it should only take 15 to 20 sessions to be better.

I was frequently annoyed with her. I didn't feel like I was learning any skills for dealing with anxiety or my anger. So, I started asking Google what I was supposed to be happening. That's when I discovered writing. In between my sessions I would write about my past. It was very eye opening. I would bring my writing into the sessions and read it to her. I did get valuable information and self acknowledgement while in her sessions, but I always had that feeling of annoyance.

I decided to fire her. I went into the session nervous. I like her as a person. I just don't think her style was right for me. But when the sessions started she started counting how many there had been and she says Denise how do you feel about graduating today? She discharged me before I could fire her. That was a perfect ending.

Six months later I'm still not feeling right. The inflammitable bowel disease clinic I go to hired a therapist. I have been seeing this person off and on for over a year.

Both therapists are clinical licensed social workers and their approach is so very different.

I'm live in a metropolitan area, St Louis, MO. I have choices. What I'm discovering is that not all of you have choices. What I'm discovering is that our healthcare system is lacking. In St Louis we have choices, but it takes months to get a new patient appointment, unless your primary makes the referral. But the last time I called my primary for an appointment which was in October I couldn't get in until April. My primary did get me into a GYN quickly, it took a month. She didn't see me she just had her staff call with the referral.

When I was dealing with a bowel obstruction and getting no relief for the doctors I was assigned while in the hospital after I was discharged I called over a dozen GI offices. The wait time was 4 to 9 months. Even today now that I'm established with a GI I can't see her for months unless I'm claiming I'm having a GI crisis.

I would love to blow up our healthcare system and replace it with one where doctors are allowed to be Doctors. I would remove Doctors from being controlled by large medical systems and let them practice good medicine that doesn't have them counting minutes.

I would get rid of for profit health insurance. Maybe we go back to mutual insurance companies where the insurance companies are owned by the insured or maybe we move to I universal healthcare or a combination of the two. I think we have proven for profit healthcare doesn't work for the ill.

Denise, what you said is so true. A lot depends on personality and style. Honestly, I have had only one therapist who I started to see in late 2022. She has been wonderful. She is incredibly patient with me. I also bothered your therapist did not show interest in your writing. Writing has been a great source of reflection and expression. Before one-on-one therapy, I was in partial hospitalization program which was only moderately helpful.

Sorry to hear you are having GI issues. I know they can be debilitating.

Hey junkartist,

I will offer my input, but it is only based on what I read and my own biased point of view. I will suggest keeping on with therapy session...even minimal. I meet my therapist maybe every six weeks now and this is a step down from every week, two weeks, three weeks, etc. There are times I wish I had made a appointment in between sessions just for the comfort more than anything. I am glad you have gotten a lot of help from therapy...me too.

Just my two cents. Like your therapist, I sort of worry about you isolating as well. I isolated, but I am building a good social life these past couple of years. It has certainly changed my life.

Thanks for your input. I've calmed down and had some time to think.
I have an appointment next week. I want to no why they are doing this. I don't want to continue if I dont know why they are considering this. Did i do something wrong? Not improving fast enough? Igave grown a lot. I have tried several groups and have found groups that I will continue with. I have friends that support me and activities that make me happy. I'm strong and can survive without this therapist, as much as she has helped me. Thank you for "listening". Your situation sounds like you are taking a good path. I'll think about it.

I had the appointment and I clarified some of the statements the therapist had commented on. For example, I am not isolating myself. I am changing my activities and doing things that are good for me. Apparently, some of this thought of "discharging" comes from wanting me to be able to take care of myself, But, for now, that is suspended. Even so, I will be careful with what I say and who I go to when and if I "sink" into a bad place. As I've said before, I've been at therapy for 60 years and have experienced many different methods. Some work well, some don't and everyone is different. What really hurt was the thought of being "discharged."

That idea has at least been softened and been let go for now. Thank you for listened. All of you helped me pull out of a bad place

Might it be time for a person who specializes in our season of life? I turn 70 on 5 weeks and plan to be in therapy for the rest of my life. If nothing else I do feel like it's important for somebody to have their eye on me at least once a week. Sometimes the only reason I unlock my door is to go to therapy.

I've struggled with anxiety and depression my entire life and if you're alone in your senior years it just is asking for trouble imho.

And sometimes we just get the message that it's time for somebody new?

If your therapist is concerned about you isolating are you also concerned about that? I would be for myself. I have some chronic illnesses that would allow me to just withdraw from the world. Seeing a therapist can help you stay connected even to other people.

Something to think about? It sounds like she was not in charge of whether or not you were ready and she was letting strangers make the decision which is just sad. I'm guessing you're in the United States and you need somebody who accepts Medicare.

Maybe take a break to recover from the grief of losing her and then find somebody who can help you in the season you're in right now? There are some great people out there who specialize in aging adults. The woman I see specializes in chronic illness, autoimmune disorders, and pain. I had to abruptly stop seeing my therapist of 7 years when I went on Medicare at 65.

But the woman I'm seeing now has been a blessing and is actually better for me right now where I am in life.

As I always say, the universe has my back. My best. Be.

Esp where virtual therapy is covered by medicare. Anyone licensed in your state, whether or not they live there, is a possibility. (and that they accept medicare/medigap.)

Well, if you are in an advantage plan, the rules are sadly different. It could be that insurance is telling them they will no longer pay. And of course the new person would need to be in network. Or maybe in the New Year they'll start paying again so you would only need to take a short break rather than not see her at all?