When it's time

Question

So I've been going to my therapist for a little over a year now and I still have problems here and there. And I think we've become close and there are time where I believe we talk more like friends or maybe she's doing that as a therapist because she's found a way? I'm not sure but weird to say I think I need a break from therapy.  I don't think I'm cured or don't need it anymore but I can't explain why I just don't want to go at the moment. And I asked one day when I'd stop and she said when she says basically because my insurance is helping me so I wonder if she meant I'm not ready or she needs the money? With this long rant I was just curious of anyone has gone to therapy what their experience was like and if they ever felt off or needed a break,knew when to stop, etc. And how they went about it or did their therapist just say ok you're fine? Lol

Answer

As a mental health worker and someone who has gone to therapy myself, I stopped weekly therapy sessions when I felt ready. I didn’t feel “cured” but I felt like I had discussed enough of what I needed to discuss and I learned enough coping techniques that I was able to maintain my mental health state and deal with my triggers as well as anxiety and depression in a effective way. I stopped therapy when I felt like I could handle hard situations on my own because I had the resources and skills. 
If you feel ready to be done with therapy or to take a break, first I want to applaud you for having such amazing self awareness, it’s often hard to know when it’s time to stop or take a break. I would say before you stop, have a session with your therapist about what she thinks and her thoughts on it, see what she has to say about it. Also, I would ensure that you have the resources that you need to deal with situations that may have led you to therapy in the first place. 
For example: one of my resources was a super nice journal. I treated myself to an expensive journal that I decided I would write in when I was feeling overwhelmed. This journal allowed me to write down everything I was feeling and experiencing and able to get it out of my head and off my chest. 
Therapy also taught me how to stay in the moment and not jump to conclusions or over analyze everything. This was a very useful skill I learned in therapy because it allowed me to take a step back in a triggering situation and break it down and challenge the thought I was having before responding (ie jumping to conclusions, having a panic attack, etc.) things like that.

Answer

I guess it sounds like she’s saying she’ll determine when you’re ready to complete therapy and move forward without her assistance. I haven’t done therapy but have thought about it. Just certain factors prevent me from not going. I can’t really say what is/isn’t allowed since I have no experience. I think your therapist can’t necessarily stop you from taking a break. If you’re an at risk person maybe that’s when she’d be more adamant and want to continue sessions. In healthcare it’s all about patient centered care so she should allow you to make your choices, but let you know about the downside of pausing. I don’t know, just my thought! I’m sorry I can’t give you any real experience stories ;/

When it's time

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