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Fri 8:18 PM


There is a small amount of literature on this subject, altho I dont have
references at hand. If the relationship goes deep enough and has lasted long
enough, the impact -- especially in the context of a positive relationship
with a genuinely effective therapist -- can be as traumatic as losing a loved
parent. The more ambivalent the relationship, especially if the analyst has
fostered inappropriate dependency, the more problematic the grieving in
general. The question -- or at least one important question -- to be answered
is does one continue, and who with. Too many patients immediately gravitate
to the therapist who is, in essence, picking up the pieces. The match may not
be felicitous, but the need is great and the tendency not to look elsewhere
or see different therapists is strong. In the context of this 'forced'
termination, some analysands -- especially those who were close to
terminating -- chose to take this poignant ending as THE END.

These are random thoughts, Ill try to search the literature when I get back
into town -- Im writing from LA. HR Greenberg MD ENDIt