Even Therapists Need to Prepare for the Inevitable

"So here it is: Therapists die, too. Now that I've got your attention...! But in all seriousness, if you follow this blog, you'll know that I've written about clients' deaths and how they impact their therapists. I've talked about how deeply we feel their loss and alluded to the few support systems that are available to us. But it works the other way, too."

"I was reminded of this recently when someone came to me to talk about how bereft she was feeling after the sudden and unexpected death of her therapist. She had received a brief telephone call from an unknown person cancelling her upcoming appointment, and that was all. There was no mention of a funeral or memorial service, and no provision for a referral for her treatment."

"I listened to her words and heard the impact of that sudden and unequivocal-and very generic-notice; this was someone she had been working with for years, someone who knew her better even than her own family, someone she had trusted and admired. Even worse, she had no proper way to grieve. The funeral was for family only. She never had a chance to say good-bye."

Unexpected death of a therapist can leave clients bereft, without closure, referral, or opportunity to grieve. A client received only a brief cancellation call and no notification of memorial or referral, causing significant distress. Therapists often fail to plan for their own death, despite the deep therapeutic bonds clients form and the ethical obligation to protect clients' care. Creating a professional will and naming a professional executor ensures contingency plans, referral pathways, and client continuity. Continuity of care and clear contingency plans are the most important factors in protecting clients when a therapist dies unexpectedly.

Read at Psychology Today