Psychologist Resignation

[FifthLeg]

I’ve been seeing my psychologist for about 3 years. Last week someone from his admin called me and said that my psych had resigned
effective that same day. She said that she could make an appointment for me
with one of their other psych’s. I explained that I would not be comfortable
with another psych and would prefer to follow my psych to wherever he was going
to practice next… Admin said they can’t disclose that information or tell me my
psych’s movements after his resignation… I asked if I could fit one more
session in before my psych left and she said no because he was leaving that day…
I hung up! She called back and said the only thing she could do is close my
file, and for me to ask my doctor to keep an eye out for my psych on a list doctors
are provided with…

I am so confused because I am worried about what would
make him resign like that at the last minute? It must have been something big
or terrible… I feel like I didn’t get to say goodbye, or thanks or have any
closure… I want to be able to tell him that no matter what happened to make him
quit at the last minute like that – he was a good psych, & helped me a lot.
… I feel a big sense of loss, even grief…

How can businesses think it’s appropriate to not allow
continuity of care by allowing me to follow my psych wherever he goes? How can
I get closure or make sense of this?

[White_Rose]

Hello Fifth

It's good that you have had time to read the Booze thread. I have to say I have not read it so I cannot comment on the content. The person who started this thread had a huge battle with alcohol but has now not had a drink for many years. I expect she has written about her struggles on the thread. I want to suggest to you that not drinking at all may be the most productive way to function. It's not the vision of you reeling along the street completely drunk that bothers me, though that's a consideration. 😊 It's really the future effects of alcohol on the body.

It's also the habit of turning to booze when there is a problem in your life. Much like my habit of comfort food. I have managed to lose a little weight recently but I am losing the battle again. It annoys me and I feel ashamed I cannot control what I see as a simple process. Eat less and more nutritionally and your weight will return to normal. Of course it's not that simple and will be a battle I will need to fight always. But I know that when I am on the straight and narrow road it gets easier. When I step off the road it takes such much time and effort to get back on and I am always annoyed with myself because it's my fault and I will need to start all over.

Yes I know how stressful life can get and we fool ourselves into saying, "Just one cannot hurt". But it does matter and it does hurt.This is my thought about addictions, which we both have. It's good you are going to write on the Booze thread. I think you will find help there and can talk about alcohol knowing others are struggling with the same problem and can relate to you in a way non-drinkers cannot.

I am glad you are reconsidering your options for counselling. My reaction when I receive some bad news or get hurt badly, is to be quite distraught for several days. I start to wind down and look at what happened and consider what to do next. But being around me at that time is probably not nice for others. I'm working on it. I suspect you are feeling a bit better and have managed to process at least part of your anger and hurt. It will get better.

Your reaction to the very disturbing news is reasonable. How often have I heard my GP say that to me. Her favourite comment is to ask if I lined up a hundred in the same situation what would they each say/do? And the answer is they would all have a strong reaction like yours. It's OK. You are now becoming calmer which is good and starting to think more coherently. Good stuff.

Mary

[FifthLeg]

My appointment with my GP went as expected – he had
managed to speak to someone from the company over the phone, & just relayed
that my psych had resigned without much notice. Due to contractual issues they
are not able to pass on where my psych is going to next. My GP said that there
would be nothing to stop me from googling my psych to find his out whereabouts but
would be best off doing this after Christmas…. I’ve decided to just take a
break from it for a few weeks & see how I feel in the New Year. I feel a
lot calmer now after the initial shock, so a few weeks off then back into it
later might be best.

[White_Rose]

It's so good you are feeling better now. That sort of shock can take a while to absorb and come to terms with it. Having a good relationship with the psych leaves you feeling disoriented and hurt when he leaves unexpectedly. As it is nearly Christmas and many people take holidays at this time, especially those with children, it's probably a good idea to have a break for a few weeks.

I think you may have a long wait to get an appointment with a new psych next year, especially someone who has a good reputation. If you feel up to it you can see if you can find his new practice but a rest will probably be more beneficial. Try to practice all the strategies you learned with your psych. Consciously practising will you help you turn this into a habit or your default action. This is what it is all about. Recognising what pushes your buttons and why you react the way you do. Once you know about it, it will become easier to take another path and with constant practise it will become an automatic action.

I know you a problem interacting with others and I am very sad for you. I don't have that difficulty in general, though there are occasions when I need to leave gathering of people. I find I cannot tolerate lots of noise, the sort that happens when lots of people are holding a multitude of conversations. I simply leave. What I want to say is that I have found support in a number of places. Some formal, such talking with a psych, and other, informal conversations with friends. I am still processing my psychs exit. There are many reasons for the time it is taking to let go, mainly because of the reason he left, but I am getting there. So talking individually with various people is a help. I understand how difficult this is, but if you can try I feel it would help you.

When you feel a bit down I suggest you phone the BB helpline. It's available 24/7. The number is 1300 22 4636. The folk will let you talk or have a discussion on the steps to take at that moment, whatever you need. Another option is to use a web based learning process. Try this address. https://mindspot.org.au/ You can find information on this site and apply to complete an online assessment. If they can help you, you will join their online treatment course, or they can help you find another practitioner. It's certainly worth a go. It's a safe site, no shonky people there.

Keep writing in here if it helps.

Mary