When does therapy end?
I have a strong developmental focus. In my dissertation research, (part of an NIMH funded longitudinal study) I followed 75 pregnant women become mothers and watched their children grow into verbal two year olds. I’ve assessed hundreds of adolescents and young adults. I’ve worked with dozens of couples, families, adult siblings, and business partners as they struggle to improve their relationships. How is this relevant to your therapy, and especially ending it? Like any good parent, I am working with you so that you will one day leave me. My goal is that you will utilize our relationship, grow through it, and take those gains into the world in order to live your life.
Does it really end?
Yes and sometimes no. After 20 years of experience, I now conceptualize my role as that of a mental health “general practitioner” with whom you may have a relationship for decades. I will often see someone for a couple of years in their 20’s, see them again when they have a child, or lose a parent, or become ill. People sometimes need a tune-up. New events in the lifecycle reawaken old feelings/conflicts or simply present new challenges. It is my pleasure and privilege to maintain an open door with all of my patients.