ABSTRACT
The therapist and the patient both have in mind an idea of how therapy is supposed to end and it is important to explore these representations and make them explicit. For the therapist, the idea of the end of the therapy is associated with the theoretical model she is following, as this model generally includes in its guidelines ideal levels of maturity, healing, and autonomy. For most people, healing means growing up, giving up their childish illusions and demands and managing to get by in the “grown-up” world by their own efforts and thanks to the support of other, a support exchanged on the basis of a principle of mutuality. Actually, some people do not say goodbye at all and simply disappear, in order to avoid emotions related to separating. Some people fight, some disappear, some feel worse and consider it easier to leave, judging therapy ineffective.
