How to Switch Therapists (and What to Say): A Simple Guide

Is it normal to switch therapists?

Yes. People switch therapists when their needs, circumstances, or experience of care change, even though it can feel awkward or even disloyal when you are in the middle of it. A practical transition includes ending appointments clearly, arranging ongoing support, and sharing useful treatment history. The relationship between you and your therapist, often called the therapeutic alliance, is an important part of whether you can work openly toward treatment goals. If that connection is not there, it is reasonable to look for someone who fits you better.

People change therapists for all kinds of valid reasons:

• The fit just is not right, even though the therapist seems competent and kind
• You have stopped making progress, or therapy feels stuck
• You need a different specialty or approach, like EMDR, couples work, or trauma-focused care
• Your insurance changed, the cost became too high, or you moved
• Scheduling no longer works, or you want online instead of in person
• Something the therapist said or did did not sit right with you

None of these require an apology. Wanting a better match gives you information about the care you need. You can use what you have learned to choose a clinician with a more suitable approach, specialty, or schedule.

How do I tell my current therapist I'm leaving?

You get to choose how much to say. You can be brief and warm, or you can be specific if you want to give feedback. You do not have to do either. A clear statement that you are ending care is complete on its own.

It helps to remember that this is a professional relationship. Ending it is a normal part of the work, similar to closing out any service that no longer fits your needs. Most therapists will respond with grace, and many will even offer to help you find someone new.

If the fit is just not right

You can say something like:

• "I've been thinking about my care, and I've decided to work with a different therapist going forward. I appreciate the time we've spent together."
• "Thank you for your help. I've realized I'm looking for a different approach, so I'm going to make a change. This will be my last session."

If you want to give a reason

• "I think I need someone who specializes in trauma, so I'm going to switch to a provider with that focus."
• "My schedule and budget have changed, and I need to find a different option. I wanted to let you know rather than just disappear."

If you prefer to do it in writing

A short message by email or your client portal is completely acceptable:

• "Hi [Name], I've decided to end our sessions and move to a new therapist. Thank you for your support. Could you let me know how to request a copy of my records?"

You can choose whether to attend a final session and communicate your preference directly to the practice. That said, a brief closing conversation, sometimes called a termination session, can give you a sense of completion and a chance to summarize what you have learned. It is your choice.

How do I find a new therapist?

The good news is that you now know more about what you need. You have learned what worked, what did not, and what you want to do differently. That makes the search easier than it was the first time.

Before you start, jot down a few priorities. For example: the issue you want to focus on, the type of therapy you are curious about, whether you want in person or online, your budget, and whether you need someone who takes your insurance. Then use those filters to narrow your search.

• Browse a directory where you can filter by specialty, location, insurance, and approach. You can search licensed therapists on psychology.com for free.
• Read profiles closely. Look for someone who names the issue you are dealing with and describes how they work.
• Book a consultation call. Ask whether the therapist offers an introductory call, how long it lasts, and whether a fee applies, so you can get a feel for their approach before committing.

For a deeper walkthrough of what to look for, see our guide on how to find the right therapist. It covers how to vet credentials, what questions to ask, and how to tell when a fit is working.

One practical tip: it is okay to line up your new therapist before you fully end with the old one, so you do not have a gap in support. Discuss any overlap with both clinicians so they can clarify roles, treatment goals, and communication. Check insurance rules before booking overlapping treatment.

Can I transfer my records so I don't start over?

Yes. Relevant records can help your new therapist understand past care and avoid unnecessary repetition. HIPAA generally gives you access to treatment records held by covered providers, subject to specific exceptions. Ask for a copy or discuss sending relevant records to your new provider. Your new therapist will still need an assessment of your current needs.

You have a few options:

• Request your records directly. Ask your current therapist or their office for a copy of your treatment records or a summary. For covered records, HIPAA generally requires action on an access request within 30 calendar days. A single extension of up to 30 more days is permitted with written notice explaining the delay and completion date. HHS: Access request timing.
• Sign a release. If you want records sent straight to your new therapist, ask about a release of information form and specify the recipient and records requested. Authorization requirements depend on the information and applicable rules. Your new provider can usually give you this form.
• Bring your own summary. You do not have to wait on paperwork. Write a short page covering your diagnosis if you have one, what you have worked on, what helped, current medications, and your goals. This gives your new therapist a useful starting point while records are pending.

When you meet your new therapist, tell them you are transferring care rather than starting fresh. Say what you covered before and what you want to keep building on. A good therapist will use that history instead of asking you to rebuild it from the ground up.

Note that some psychotherapy notes, the private notes a therapist keeps for their own use, are treated differently and are not always part of what gets released. The core records about your diagnosis, treatment, and progress are what matter for continuity, and those you can access.

When should I switch right away?

Most of the time, switching is a thoughtful decision you make over a few weeks. But sometimes you should leave promptly. Trust your instincts here.

Consider ending care quickly if your therapist:

• Crosses professional or sexual boundaries
• Judges, shames, or dismisses you
• Discloses private information outside the consent or legal exceptions explained for your care
• Pushes their personal beliefs or pressures you in ways that feel wrong
• Repeatedly misses or cancels sessions without accountability

These behaviors can raise serious concerns about safety, boundaries, or professional conduct. A licensing board can review whether professional rules were violated. You do not owe a polite exit, and you can stop attending immediately. If a therapist behaves unethically, you can file a complaint with your state licensing board, which oversees professional conduct.

If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself at any point during a transition, do not wait for a new therapist. Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day in the US.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• How to Find the Right Therapist
• Signs of a Good Therapist Fit
• Questions to Ask a Therapist
• Find a Therapist

References

• American Psychological Association: Obtaining ethics education and assistance
• American Psychological Association: How do I find a good therapist?
• HHS: Individuals' Right under HIPAA to Access their Health Information
• NIMH: Psychotherapies
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• Mental Health America: Finding Therapy

A practical handoff checklist

Before your next appointment, write down your main concerns, current goals, approaches that helped, and anything you would like handled differently. Include medications and the prescribing clinician's contact information if relevant. Ask the new therapist what records would be useful and how to send them securely.

Confirm the last appointment with the current therapist, the first appointment with the new one, and who to contact if you need support in between. Check that recurring appointments have been canceled and review any outstanding balance. If another clinician manages medication, arrange prescription continuity with that clinician.

Our Do I Need Therapy? reflection test can help organize your current concerns; it cannot decide whether to stop or change treatment. A stress diary can show the new clinician what has been difficult between appointments. Use the insurance guide to confirm the new provider's coverage, and the resources hub for more help navigating care.