Anyone have experience changing therapists?

[Peanutbutterje11y]

I started getting overwhelmed with intrusive thoughts of unintentionally harming others about 8 months ago. It quickly took over my thoughts throughout my day and really bothered me. I started therapy and medication about 4 months ago.

My therapist told me at our last session that she is having an unexpected ne job oppertunity and will be leaving the current practice for something else soon. It was hard for me to start therapy. This news just really threw me. Trust and opening up is hard, I'm sure a lot of people might feel like that. But I feel like this was a good fit with personality and style of therapy. I feel like I've been making progress. I want to continue therapy to continue working through OCD and other struggles but the idea of starting over with a new therapist seems pretty overwhelming. Trust, re-explaining my past, going over struggles again seems like such an up hill battle.

Has anyone had to find another therapist for any reason? How did it go? Any advice?

[JediYoda]

Assuming continuing with current is not possible. Maybe consider having the therapist recommend an alternate. Also will help if there are some overlap sessions to bring new one on board (not sure if medically allowed)

[MothFir]

I know this is disappointing but changing to a new therapist might be easier than you think. I had three therapists (from the same practice) over the course of two years due to maternity and medical leaves. Although one was more of an expert in OCD than the others, they all understood OCD and ERP and I developed a rapport with all of them. It probably helped that I researched a lot about therapy and OCD on my own and was able to ask questions and seek input about various topics, and therefore I had some idea of where I thought the therapy should go. Each therapist also had all the notes from the previous one and I just had to fill in the gaps when we met to get them up to speed.

If your new therapist is competent, but you don't feel a sense of trust and rapport, you shouldn't hesitate to try someone else, if that is possible. Any good therapist should understand when a client doesn't feel that their personalities are compatible.

Good luck!

[PaperTigers]

I recently had an unexpected change in therapists and it's been great, I'm finding it much easier to open up. I mean, yeah, you have to backtrack a bit to explain where you're at but it just might be worth it. I actually look forward to my therapy appointments now and she seems much more receptive and proactive when it comes to all my symptoms, I have multiple diagnoses and everything is being addressed. She's the first one who has focused on the OCD. I hope this is also a positive change for you! It may not be so bad. Wishing you the best moving forward.

[aparente001]

Yes, my son with OCD had a similar experience. His therapist had to move as she was a trailing spouse. She was one in a million -- had a golden touch with children. It took us a couple tries with new people until we found another good fit. I hope you'll keep us posted how things are going.