Posted by pegasus on August 19, 2004, at 12:01:53
In reply to more therapy drama, posted by lonelygal on August 18, 2004, at 19:52:17
Oh, I know how that can hurt! If it makes it any easier, I recently learned that it's pretty standard procedure with some therapists to send a termination letter so that it's clear in the records that you are no longer seeing that therapist.
I'm taking a therapist ethics class right now, and we discussed those letters. Most of us agreed that it would feel bad as the client to get such a letter, because it would feel rejecting. But from an ethical point of view, there is an argument for it. It's not meant as a rejection of the client, it's just meant to clarifies for both client and therapist where they are in terms of the professional part of the relationship. But the reality is that it feels rejecting and cold.
I think, if your therapist felt obligated to send such a letter, it would have been nice if she had made the letter more warm and personal. That way it might have been something to cherish, instead of feeling like a slap in the face. I think it's easy for a therapist to overlook that possibility when trying to do something formal and professional. But it's sad for you, for sure.
pegasus
poster:pegasus
thread:379259
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040812/msgs/379460.html