How do I manage a therapy break, when my therapist is ill?

You may have discussed elements of this in some of your previous writings, but, if possible would you be able to give some advice regarding managing a break during long term therapy.

My therapist has been instrumental and wonderful helping me to open up and explore emotions, whilst at the same time supporting me face to face and with emails when going through difficulties and change.

Unfortunately she had to undergo major surgery and had offered for me to see one of her colleagues, which I didn’t want to do.

I feel very worried for her and then also very sad about when and if there will be any more sessions in the future.

Whenever I start getting upset about this situation I try and think about positive wishes for her and on occasions I have sent a text, card and flowers without wanting to intrude or overstep boundaries.

All the same, this is very unsettling and I try and focus on the here and now and those nearest and dearest around me.

Many thanks and kind regards,

M P

(25th July 2019)

Thanks for writing in and explaining a bit about what’s happening for you, and how you are coping with your break from therapy due to your therapist’s illness.

From my writing you may know that I have experienced both sides of the same coin – as a client when my therapist was suddenly taken ill, and as a therapist when I had to stop working twice due to illness. You can find all the pieces I have written HERE

In my response I will use the general term ‘therapist’ to also include counsellor, coach, mentor, confidante.

Five general points to consider

I believe there are at least 5 important factors that will affect how such a situation may impact us. You have referred to some. In no particular order:

1. Have we established a good rapport with the therapist?

In therapy terminology this fits into the area of “therapeutic relationship, working alliance”. The better the rapport, liking, empathy, trust etc the more likely it is, that the break will affect us.

2. Where are we at in therapy, when the break occurs?

What topics, level of processing may have been reached and opened up? Sometimes we can be left feeling extra sensitive when we have reached a new level of self awareness, change or feeling. Then therapy is needed to continue working things through, until they and we have settled down. If therapy is interrupted at that point, then we may feel extra vulnerable and disturbed.

3. Where are we at in our life, when the break occurs?

We may be going through a trying and testing time on our life. Our support network may not be sufficient to assist us and we rely on the external support our therapist has provided.

4. How do we cope with raptures, abandonment and uncertainty?

Depending on our past experiences, such unexpected breaks in therapy can trigger old wounds and fear, even though the situation itself does not justify it. Your therapist has not abandoned you, but it may feel like it. How well equipped are we to cope with uncertainty and the anxiety it can bring?

5. How has the break been communicated and how is it being managed?

How much do we know about the circumstances, if / when therapy will resume, how we may receive updates (if any)? What has been agreed regards contacting the therapist during this time?

Depending on the circumstances there is not always time or opportunity to provide all the information we would like to receive and make neat and transparent agreements.

How to cope

There is no blue print for coping. Based on the 5 points above (and others) everybody affected by a sudden break in therapy may have different needs and circumstances. We all have to work out, what is best for us.

Here is some general guidance:

1. Notice how the break affects you.

Become aware of your feelings, name them, understand them.  Don’t deny them, but don’t indulge them either. That helps manage anxiety.

2. Be aware of any negative self talk, catastrophizing etc.

It is what it is. You cannot do anything to help your therapist right now. It is their life, their responsibility.

3. It is your responsibility to cope with this break as best as you can and to look after yourself.

This may involve working out what other support you may need to cope with life in general and with the break in particular.

It is not easy, under such circumstances, to work with another therapist. I, too, declined the offer – initially. But after a while I realised I needed help to cope with the cancer treatment I was just undergoing and with the unexpected absence of my therapist. Working with someone else was not to replace my therapist, but a temporary support solution. And I am glad I followed my intuition.

You, too, may decide on additional support (or not) – individual therapy, group therapy, a course, learning a new skill, something fun … Reaching out to me and asking your question has already been a move in this direction!

4. View this break from therapy as part of your therapy.

Even (and especially) the hard times can be key moments of personal development and growth. It might help you to look at the break as a challenge and continuation of your therapy. But for now, on your own – where you can rely on everything you may have learnt sofar.

In that way you give the break a positive meaning and purpose.

You may even decide to set aside the regular slot when you usually had therapy and do something special and of meaning for yourself.

5. Contacting your therapist

I don’t know what was agreed, if anything. And I hear what you say about respecting boundaries. I think you will be the best judge. As long as you don’t feed any abandonment wound or anxiety, if you don’t hear back. Because your therapist may not be well enough to receive or respond to messages.

6. What if?

And finally there is “what if” – what if our therapist cannot return to work or dies? What if we never find out? What if…?

Again, I don’t know what will happen. But it is important not to shy away from such potentially lingering fears. But it is equally important not to be overwhelmed by them.

Whatever may happen, one thing is for certain, you will cope. Trust in that.

It does not mean it won’t hurt, like you are hurting now. But you do demonstrate resourcefulness and self awareness, which should reassure yourself!

I hope these thoughts are of some assistance and I wish you well.

Very best.

Karin

(4th July 2019)