I have been visiting with a therapist for over a year now. At first, we were meeting every other week and then once a month. I found my visits with her to be very helpful as I worked my way through some difficult decisions regarding my husband’s care and my personal self-care. Thanks to her support, I am enrolled in a yoga class once a week and have started in-home care. I am exploring other opportunities for self-enrichment and stress relief. Life is better and I feel ready to let the monthly check-ins go.

It concerns me that I might fall back into bad habits once I am not meeting with her regularly. Will I be able to hold myself accountable to the same extent that she does? She has helped me find a positive pathway, will I stay on it without her guidance? What happens when the next challenge comes up and I need that objective ear to help  me figure out what to do? It has been nice having someone who is not connected to Parkinson’s to share my struggles with.

So, I am at a crossroads. One part of my mind wants to continue the monthly meetings just in case, the other is ready to say I can do this on my own. I do have an appointment coming up next week, I think I know what we’ll be talking about and perhaps she can help me find the right answer. I hope so. Whichever way I go, I am going to tape her business card to my mirror so I can remind myself that professional help is just a phone call away.