Why Don’t Mental Health Counselors See Former Patients After Treatment Has Ended?

Have you ever wondered why so many mental health counselors refrain from seeing former patients after the completion of their treatment? This question can be explored in the broader context of all psychotherapists, for whom mental health counselors are only one specific educational path towards becoming a therapist.

Individual Differences Among Mental Health Clinicians

All mental health clinicians are unique individuals who may have their own practices. Hence, it is VERY common for former patients to return and resume treatment after their initial treatment has ended. I have personally had many former patients return after ending their treatment years ago, and I usually express openness to scheduling them for follow-up sessions if I am available and they are in need.

Commonality Across Clinicians

This openness to former patients is not unique to me; I listen to similar sentiments from all my colleagues. It is quite standard for people to seek therapy, start a course of treatment, and then feel the need to return later on. However, I am perplexed by your question as it contradicts what is a very common experience within the clinical and patient communities. Perhaps, your experience with therapy differed in a specific instance where a therapist explicitly refused to resume working with you after the end of treatment. Such incidents do occur but are usually accompanied by very specific reasons.

Reasons for Refusal to Resume Therapy

There can be several reasons why a therapist would not resume treating a former patient. Firstly, the clinician may have recognized that they were not adequately equipped to handle the case or they were not comfortable working with the individual. This can occur if the former patient was very unstable, presenting a serious risk of harm to themselves or others, and the clinician is not in a setting with adequate support or resources to manage such an individual.

Another possible reason for refusing to resume therapy is if there were significant issues during the initial treatment period. For example, if a former patient was engaging in inappropriate behaviors such as physical altercation in the waiting area or destroying property, the therapist may decide they are not comfortable working with such individuals and may refer them to a more appropriate setting.

Conclusion

In summary, it is both common and expected for former patients to seek out their mental health counselor again after treatment has concluded. However, if a specific instance exists where a therapist refused to resume treatment, it is typically due to very specific and understandable reasons. Understanding these nuances can provide clarity to individuals who are concerned about the prospect of follow-up care.