when to stop therapy?

when to stop therapy?
C

cant_remember

Guys,

I've been seeing my therapist once a week since December 04. I took a break for 3 months (june, july and august) when I was out of town. He offered to do telephone sessions during that time, but I declined.

When I started therapy, I couldn't stop myself from having sex with old men and from acting out online as well. I would meet men maybe once a week -- sometimes more, sometimes less. I would spend countless hours online in depraved chat rooms.

Now, I don't do either. Since the New Year, I've only had sex with one older man. And since I discovered MaleSurvivor, I haven't been to any sexually explicit web site or chat room.

I know I'm not "cured," but I feel a million times better than I ever have before, and I want to stop seeing my therapist. But every time I bring it up, I feel like he doesn't want me to stop coming. He knows I will probably stop in May if I leave town again, but I want to stop now -- mostly for money reasons.

Can you guys advise me on when I should stop seeing him? Is there a way to stop seeing a therapist besides leaving town? LOL.

Thanks guys,

Jim.
 
Jim,
I stopped seeing my T when we both decided that I had gone as far as I could at that point. I have an open invitation to return when/if I need to.
It i sa huge decision to stop seeing yout T. IT is truly up to you. You know yourself better than we do, so my advice is to give it some serious thought, and then go with what your brain tells you is right. Best of luck, whatever you decide.

Casey
 
When it does more harm then good.
When it doesn't do any good.
When you have already mentally given it up and won't be putting a full effort into it.
WHen you feel you no longer need it.

Any of those times are times to maybe give up therapy. I am similar to you, I have a long break when I am traveling away from home, and therefore am not 'in' therapy from January through April, although I do 'check in' with my therapist by phone one or two times a month, and if something is truly a major issue for me, we can set up a phone session. But I think there is not hard and fast rule on when to quit therapy. It is guided and directed by you and how you feel.

Leosha
 
I stop therapy when I run out of things to say. Then I leave for a few months. Same with me, the door is always open, and my therapist would rather I stay in therapy, but he respects when I feel the lack of need. Then I go back and have all of this stored up emotion, and the therapy is usually better, harder work than if I had stayed those months.

It's your decision. I don't think I every "graduate" from therapy. I just take breaks from it.
 
Yes, you can stop therapy any time. I would simply be honest with him.

What's so terrible about saying that it has helped, but you want to stop because it is expensive and you're not currently able to make use of what he has to offer?

Ultimately, it's as simple as refusing to make an appointment when you conclude your next session with him.
 
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