Posted by Pfinstegg on March 9, 2004, at 16:07:41
In reply to 1 last time - termination, posted by shortelise on March 9, 2004, at 12:37:37
You're right - there isn't much help for people terminating, as most of us are right in the middle of therapy, with all of its intensity. It's helpful, and hopeful, for us to learn that people actually DO terminate sucessfully.
I had some very successful therapy when I was young, and was able to terminate and stay functioning at a high level until my parents died. Then I crashed pretty badly. So I am basically on my second round of it. My memories of the first termination are that it was both very hard and sad- and wonderful. I felt that I had gained a tremendous amount- and what I gained stayed with me and even grew over the years. But I did have to go through about nine months of very painful grieving for my wonderful first analyst. One thing that helped me a lot was to keep in touch with him by mail at Christmas -sending family photos, updates, etc. He would occasionally write a note in reply, in which I could really feel his fondness and caring. That helped me so much to keep him internalized. Nowadays, I think therapists are much more flexible; many people need, and can have, occasional appointments when they feel that they would benefit from them. The analyst I have now intends to do it that way when my *time* comes. Does your T. have any similiar plans? I would think the most important thing would be to experience a permanent, and growing, gain, with the loss aspect of it kept to a minimum.
I wish that the board here could encompass people at your stage of treatment- that it could be a source of support for you as you move towards fewer sessions, and a source of hope for those of us not there yet. CALLING FOR MORE *TERMINATORS*! We have so much to learn from you.
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:322444
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040308/msgs/322498.html