parting ways with a therapist

[rainbringer]

We've been seeing our OT for almost two years. Dd did make a lot of progress at first but she's levelled off now and I feel like our time and money would be better spent elsewhere. This woman has gone out of her way to help us and I want to part ways as tactfully as possible - I don't want to burn any bridges, and I do want her to feel appreciated - but I'm not even sure what the best approach is to bringing this up. Any advice would be welcome!

[SpottedFoxx]

I'd just tell her that effective x date, you will no longer be continuing your child's OT. You feel that your daughter has plateaued and have decided to give it a break. Let her know that you appreciate everything she has done for your daughter and if she ever needs a recommendation you'd be happy to share it (if you feel that way).

It is hard but you need to do what's best for your child. I'm sure if she is a good therapist, she'll understand.

[APToddlerMama]

I would just tell her that thanks to her wonderful efforts, you feel like you're in a place that you can take a break from OT for a while and see how DD does, and that you'll give her a call if or when you feel she needs to be seen again. Maybe give her a nice card and a small gift, picture, whatever expressing your appreciation. A card would probably be more than enough.

[LynnS6]

When ds was in OT for SPD, after about a year or 18 months, I asked the OT what her opinion on stopping was and when she would recommend discharge from OT. She explained to me that while his sensory stuff was a lot better, she was still working with him on motor planning issues and core strength. He was still having a hard time making his body do what his brain wanted it to, and his core strength was weak.

She said she'd recommend finishing out the school year and then evaluating him. Once she clued me into his motor planning issues, I began to notice them. At then end of the school year, we discontinued OT and haven't been back.

FWIW, ds still struggles a bit with both issues, but not enough to go back yet.

[BookGoddess]

I need to do this too. We need to part ways with one of our DD's therapists.

[rainbringer]

Thanks for the replies! I ended up telling the therapist we would take a break for the summer . . . I'm conflicted on whether to completely stop OT -dd has a lot of sensory issues still but I'm not sure how much OT is helping, plus I'd like to use the money to try other things.

Simply telling the therapist that we won't continue OT after a certain date seems cold to me for this situation where she has done much for us - she is very professional and wouldn't be angry, but I do want to let her know she is appreciated.

Definitely interested in others' thoughts and experiences - this is hard for me.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by rainbringer

Thanks for the replies! I ended up telling the therapist we would take a break for the summer . . . I'm conflicted on whether to completely stop OT -dd has a lot of sensory issues still but I'm not sure how much OT is helping, plus I'd like to use the money to try other things.

Simply telling the therapist that we won't continue OT after a certain date seems cold to me for this situation where she has done much for us - she is very professional and wouldn't be angry, but I do want to let her know she is appreciated.Definitely interested in others' thoughts and experiences - this is hard for me.

are you opposed to writing her a nice card/letter and givign her flowers or soemthing?