First of all, congratulations!

If you and your therapist have decided that it is time for you to go off into the world as your own therapist, it means you have done the work and your therapist is confident in your capabilities.

It can sometimes be a bit scary and sad to pause or end therapy, especially if you have been seeing one therapist for a while, and that is okay. These feelings aren’t signs that you aren’t ready to end therapy yet; they’re just normal human emotions that come along with the uncertainty of ending (any kind of) relationship.

What next?

Now comes the fun part where you are able to practice everything you have learned in therapy. We believe that therapy is not meant to be long-term. Therapy is meant to provide you with the time and space necessary to process and reflect on experiences so that you can grow. It’s meant to teach you strategies to continue processing and reflecting on future experiences on your own, along with skills to help you live the life you want for yourself.

Can I return to therapy?

Yes! People often return to therapy after a couple of months or years. We always recommend that individuals reflect on their therapy experience and record what they found helpful and not so helpful. This way, they can share this with their new therapist if they chose to return to therapy with a new clinician, laying the foundation for an even better next therapy experience. Life happens, so you can always return to therapy if you think that you’re at a point where you could use some extra support or would benefit from a check-up.

What happens to my information?

Your information will be kept for a minimum of seven years in case you ever wish to resume therapy and would want your therapist to request old records. If you do decide to have your therapist request old records, you will need to fill out a Release of Information Authorization form that your new therapist can provide for you.

Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1–800–273–8255

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

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The Kip Team