What to say at final session?

[UnicornSightings]

What do you guys say at a final therapy session? I've never done a goodbye before. Yesterday we went through everything I've gained from our time together and I said some nice things I learned from her. I have a few things to thank her for (take about 2 minutes) and I asked for a guided meditation and then saying the actual word "goodbye" but other than that, is there anything that you guys have either gotten a lot out of saying or regretted not saying? I know each situation is different, of course. But for a newbie at this, is there anything I'm missing?

 

[EveHarrington]

I don't think there are any shoulds or should nots.

Most people don't even do goodbye sessions I don't think.

And it sounds like you already said many goodbye session type things.

 

[Sideways]

Are you transitioning to a new T?

If so, maybe ask about some strategies to manage that (it can be stressful), and whether there’s particular things (or ways) that your current T might think are particularly helpful for your new T to know straight up, like “What does a new T need to know about management of my particular circumstances which might not be obvious?”

Another thing, if you’re interested (and you may not be) may be to ask if there’s anything in the way you’ve approached therapy that you might do differently.

If you’re not transitioning to a new T, and this is your last therapy session? Maybe cover the basics about how to restart with them (or someone else) if you were to ever feel you need to, and what sort of indicators you might look for in order to know that you may need to restart (like, what point in your symptoms could be an indicator to restart with someone)?

 

[barefoot]

I haven’t ever done it but I guess the key things I would think of are:
1) reviewing/pulling together your learnings, takeaways, progress from the work you have done together (sounds like you have already done this?)
2) looking forward to focus on your next steps - whether that’s supporting you with transitioning to a new therapist or looking at what you need to go it alone. Are there any possible challenges ahead that you can think of that you two might be able to come up with some ideas for together. Including do you need any support from her in how to transition away from your relationship with her?

As for anything else such as if/how you want to go about thanking her in some way or how you want to approach the actual “goodbye” moment, I would say to just go with your gut and do/say/be whatever you feel you need in that moment to feel “complete”. I don’t think there are rights/wrongs or should/should nots about this. Therapy is such a personal process -including the ending of the process.

I know your therapist is going on a sabbatical for a number of months - are you hoping/open to the idea of picking up with her again when she returns? If so, you may want to say/ask something around leaving that door open for the future?

I imagine this is a hard time for you @UnicornSightings - it definitely would be for me.
When is your final session?