Counsellor attachment

simonsays1

Helllo
So, the sessions with my counsellor of 3 years will be finishing shortly. I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that I won't be seeing her again. I'm going to find it difficult. I know it's natural to get attached to someone who (seems to) care about me.
On the positive side though, I want to see how I get on, on my own- left to my own devices. I want to test my coping skills etc.
I really do not get attached to anyone generally but it happened- it crept up on me! damn! Maybe a distraction would be a good idea???
I feel ill thinking about saying goodbye/
(P.S This is not a sexual attachment by the way-a purely emotional one.)

How best to deal with this? Any advice? Should I express my feelings to her during our last session?

Thanks!

ElleEm

Three years is a long time, and it is only natural that you have become close with her.

Counsellors are well used to this, and it would show great self awareness and growth for you to express this to her. She will not be shocked, and she may be able to give you tools to manage the transition.

Queen-Mise

If you are going weekly at the moment. Then go fortnightly a couple of times and talk about how that is going. And then finally have a couple of monthly sessions.

If you think it is going to cause stress and you may have developed some form of attachment then talk about it whilst 'breaking' the attachment.

It is nice knowing that you have support and someone to talk too. Being able to shelve stuff until you get to your counsellor. You don't have to break the contact in one fell swoop.

simonsays1

Thanks for the good advice!