Mourning Analysis: The Post-Termination Phase

Abstract

One hundred twenty-one analytic candidates who had completed training analysis responded to a survey about their post-termination experience. Seventy-six percent of respondents experienced a mourning process that lasted on average between six months and a year, while 24 per cent experienced no discernible sense of painful loss. Twenty candidates were interviewed to obtain a deeper understanding of the mourning process that follows analysis. During the post-termination phase, the analysand's self-analytic capacity is tested in the struggle to contain and understand feelings about the loss of the analyst, as well as transference reactions triggered by that loss. After a "good-enough analysis," the analysand internalizes not only the analyst's functions and attitudes toward him or her, but also a sustaining, positive internal image of the analyst. Four cases illustrate unexpected difficulties that may emerge during the post-termination phase when the loss of the analyst is experienced as a repetition of earlier, traumatic losses or as a rupture of an unanalyzed, selfobject transference.

Au Revoir: An Attachment and Loss Perspective on Termination

“…In one study, a full two-thirds of analytic clients contacted their therapist within 3 years of termination (Craige 2002). Noting that feelings about the therapy and therapist continue after formal therapy ends, the term ''posttermination'', somewhat of an oxymoron, has emerged to connote this stage (Craige 2002). It suggests that leaving therapy is not an easy task and that termination does not truly entail the finality it signifies.…”

“…Truly mourning the therapist is a large and painful task, one that eludes even those in long-term analysis (Craige 2002). And those clients with histories of previous and painful losses often have the most difficult time with this undertaking (Golland 1997;Hill 2005;Levinson 1977).…”

“…Whether or not these reactions are inevitable is unclear. Both Craige (2002) and Roe et al (2006) have found that termination is more likely to be experienced as a loss or rejection when clients feel they cannot return. This produces more symptoms in the client, including feelings of anger, rage, anxiety, mourning and abandonment.…”

“…Whenever possible, endings should be planned, tapered and focus not simply on loss but on accomplishments as well (Baum 2005;Siebold 2004;Wachtel 2002). Clients should also feel free to contact the therapist at a later date (Craige 2002;Hill 2005;Roe et al 2006). Characterizing the end of therapy as a transition, rather than a loss (although that transition may entail some losses) could be more fruitful (Baum 2005).…”

“…The importance of the therapeutic relationship becomes focal as well as the way in which it can endure after therapy ends. This suggests that termination does not entail finality as returning to the therapist for further work or contact post-termination is not discouraged (Craige 2002;Malin 1990;Roe et al 2006). It also has the impact of lessening some of the more difficult reactions clients have to termination including rage, anxiety, mourning and abandonment.…”