Finally, after way too many relationship heartaches, I got the right kind of help that put a name to it . . . who'd guess it was abandonment issues.
Abandonment issues ruining your relationship?
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Dr. Susan "Shrinklady" LaCombe
Hello, I'm Dr. Susan LaCombe Publisher of myShrink.com.
I've personally experienced the impact of abandonment issues firsthand.
I have to admit though, it took some time before I could name the problem as "abandonment".
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I came to see that unresolved abandonment issues were holding me back. Anything to do with 'letting go' seemed to trigger me.
Like even for inconsequential things . . .
Who would think . . . struggling to let go of clutter was rooted in abandonment fears!
That, as it turned out, was the smallest of my concerns...
As I later learned, if you were abandoned physically or emotionally, your ability to feel secure in the world - to feel you do belong - is going to be hard won.
You may find yourself avoiding commitment or intimacy . . . indeed this may go on for a very long time that you feel it's normal - even under the guise "Oh, I'm just the independent type".
Your fears may also reveal themselves in a greater dependence inside relationships (feeling needy and clingy) and an over-independence outside relationships ("I'm better on my own" kind of thinking).
You can have trouble letting go of relationships that don't work and/or holding onto ones that work really well. (Unfortunately, in the latter case, regret often shows up only months later.)
Indeed, if you have a hard time just being connected to your true self, abandonment issues may be at the source of your troubles. As you begin to heal, the grieving you move through is related to this loss of self.
Abandonment issues even show up in the workplace . . . holding onto a job because you don't want to hurt your boss or not being able to let go of an employee who's unsuitable for the job.
The emotional fallout can undermine relationships with a partner, family, friends - your kids - and even people who work for you.
Yes, I've seen it all . . . and not just as a therapist 😉
Counseling helps to define the problem
I invite you to present your particular abandonment issues to a professional counselor. Apart from the enormous relief of finally just unburdening yourself, you can also take advantage of his or her years of experience with hundreds of clients.
Get clear about what's really going on inside you (or with someone you care about). Once you understand the breadth of the problem it's easier to take steps to address.
From my personal experience, once I understood where my abandonment issues were showing up, my life and my actions made more sense to me.
I knew for example, why even though I desperately wanted close relationships, I'd sabotage my efforts to have them.
Online therapy has some advantages over
'face-to-face'
Deciding between face-to-face or online work is a hard call and it really depends on your needs. One very important consideration is that face-to-face might be easier if technology is a challenge (Tho since COVID many people have jumped that hurdle).
As well, you may find that the feeling of a 'human connection' feels more palpable in a therapist's office. And if that's what you feel you need, go for that.
On the other hand, if you think emotional safety might be more easily obtained from the warmth and familiarity of your own home space, I'd suggest starting with online work. (You can at any time switch to a face-to-face counselor if the time feels right for you.)
Other advantages to online therapy . . .
Unlike face-to-face therapy, with online counseling there's not the typical scheduling hassles of finding time during a busy day or fighting crowds to get to an office. You're also not restricted to meeting exactly 50 minutes with your therapist (the usual time for traditional face-to-face therapy).
And if you're using email or chat online counseling (phone and video counseling is also available), you have a record of your conversation to review for later. That's a tremendous resource when you're trying to sort out complicated relationships issues.
You can even start right now.
I hope to hear that you're feeling better soon!
Best of luck,
"As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through our link."
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Review #11821
Written by J.E. after counseling with Marie Murphy for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related, sleeping, parenting, and self esteem
She has been all I could ask for! I was a little nervous about using this website for a counseling service, but she has made it so delightful, and I genuinely enjoy talking to her and getting her helpful feedback. 5 out of 5
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Written by R.O. after counseling with Rick Vassar for 1 week on issues concerning self esteem
He is wonderful!! he makes me think and since day one I conect with him and he replies a couple times in a day!!! I cant thank him enough!!
Review #11840
Written by Y.E after counseling with Karen House for 3 months
depression, lgbt, relationship, self esteem, and career
With straightforward and effective tools and ideas, Karen has been helping me to make sense of my life and of who I am. Through new ideas and even readings and other complementary material shared per my request, our written correspondence, twice or three times a week, is when I can put order on my thoughts and feelings, share it with someone and receive useful feedback and orientation. Thank you, Karen, for being there!
. . . more BetterHelp testimonials
Tips for working on abandonment issues
As I mentioned above, abandonment issues can show up in many areas of your life and your therapy is not immune to this.
How does abandonment show up in your therapy?
Even small things reveal themselves as an abandonment issue. For example, let's say you've scheduled a phone session with your counselor. You may also be aware that saying 'good-bye' has always been hard. Chances are the ending of your session may trigger unsettled feelings.
That's okay. Working with feelings - as they happen in the moment - are the fastest way of changing them (based on neuroscience).
Be sure to mention this to your therapist if that's the case. You may find for instance that you need a good ten to fifteen minutes warning that the session is ending.
Abandonment issues and feelings towards your therapist
It's not unusual to develop strong feelings towards your therapist. You want this to happen if you want to work through your abandonment fears.
That way, as you find your therapist available - as often as you need to - it will help to heal your old wounds.
How does that happen?
When we become close with someone, the feelings that arise trigger our past memories of closeness with others - particularly with our parents. You cannot prevent this process - the way the brain is organized makes it inevitable.
That's okay - you can make it work for you in your favour.
You see, this time around you're having a positive experience. It's this new experience that'll re-shape memories from the past in your mind (ie. the person you're feeling close to - your therapist - is available much more readily than your Mom or Dad might have been).
Basically, this new and positive experience will override the old memories of abandonment and change how you are in your relationships - and for the better!
More and more people are going to therapy online. The reason is simple.
- Anonymity.
- When you want and where you want: 24/7.
- You have a record of the therapist's comments. Useful for re-reading.
- Many people find it easier to disclose emotionally difficult information.
- Email exchanges give you time to reflect on your therapist's response.
Plus, if you're brand new to counseling it's an easy place to get started!
After you complete a short quiz with BetterHelp you'll be matched with a therapist. (You can request a change of therapists if you find you're not a good match).
Begin almost immediately
The amount of time you wish to spend is up to you. This benefit is one of the reasons I think it's useful for addressing abandonment issues.
This is more convenient if you find that the typical one hour sessions in traditional therapy too long, or even too short.
Review #11619
Written by L.I after counseling with Chelsey Hauer for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship, family, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping, self esteem, and bipolar
Chelsey is the best! I couldn't have a better match. She is so in tune with my needs and always compassionate and understanding. She's always looking for solutions to help me and never gets impatient when I want to change the game plan. She also checks in with me frequently when she hasn't heard from me, but never pressures me to respond in a certain time frame. I know Chelsey really cares and wants to be my advocate, and I feel so lucky to have found her!
Review #11826
Written by M.O after counseling with Traci Baxendale Ball for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, and self esteem
You're in good hands. Traci has helped me rethink some of the things that make me anxious, which at one point I had given up on fixing. The amount of money I paid is nothing compared to the benefit of ease of mind I've received.
. . . more BetterHelp testimonials
Not sure how to start?
If you think you might get stumped when you first start your session, it's useful to reflect a little ahead of time about your situation.
For instance, you might consider the symptoms that are most bothersome to you that you want changed. That could easily give you a starting point.
Just know, your therapist will help draw you out in any case. They understand that clients often know something is wrong - they just can't put the right words to it.
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Review #11766
Written by K.R after counseling with Kelly Kampf for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and career
Kelly 's kind, intuitive, and gentle guidance has been such a gift to me! I've seen therapists and counselors throughout my life and I was skeptical about doing a therapy over the phone, but my experience with Kelly has been uplifting and wonderful. She is guiding me with an open-heart and well informed manner. I feel incredible comfortable sharing things with her and never feel pressure to be or few anything that I'm not. Thank you so much Kelly for all you've done for me now and what you will help me with in the future. Xoxo
Review #11625
Written by G.I after counseling with David Neuman for 11 months
stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship, family, intimacy-related, sleeping, parenting, self esteem, and depression
I reconnected tonight with David after ending our sessions 2 years ago. It was the best decision that I've made in a long time. One phone call with him tonight and I feel so much more empowered to do what I need to do. His intuition, common sense and professionalism are second to none. And he's easy to talk to. Thanks David!
Review #11760
Written by J.O after counseling with Kameron Macrorie for 9 months
relationship, family, grief, intimacy-related, and eating
Kameron is wonderful, she is so sensitive and thoughtful. I would still be in a horrible place if not for her. She has really helped me, and I really appreciate her support. If I don't write for a week or so, she checks in to make sure I am ok. Kameron really listens to me.