ABSTRACT
Effective and therapeutic endings are a central part of the therapeutic journey, and need to be given due acknowledgement as an important part of the therapy process. The psychotherapy relationship is peculiar among relationships in that the ending of the relationship is at the very least implicit from the start; clients come expecting that the therapy will be effective and they will move beyond it and eventually have no need for therapy or the therapist. Longer-term therapy may require a period of reflection on the process and mourning, so both client and therapist can end the relationship in a mutually satisfying, growthful way. The planned, therapeutic ending of relatively short-term therapy is usually a positive experience; the client has got what they wanted out of therapy and is leaving, feeling satisfied with the outcome.
