Tune-Up

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Many years ago, during the outpatient year of my psychiatricresidency training, I was taught about the wisdom of follow up. Once a course of psychotherapy was completed, making an arrangementfor a visit in 1 month (or 3 or 6 months) sent the message that thetherapist cared about the patient and would be available if needed in thefuture.In a termination session for one of my earliest cognitive therapy patients,I broached the subject of follow-up. He responded: “I take my carfor an oil and lube every 3 months.