I have a really serious issue that i need help with. I've been in therapy 10 years with my t, and she may retire in the next year or so. I've gotten very attached with her, and every time i think about ending therapy with her (or she mentions it as being "down the road), i feel a great deal of panic and need to cry. The idea of being separated from her that way feels unbearable. Because my reactions to quitting therapy are so strong, i feel like i need to do something way early, to start preparing myself for termination. For those who have terminated successfully, how did you prepare for it? What can i do now so it won't hurt so much later? My initial reaction is to pull away some -- stretch sessions out -- stop emailing her between sessions. But it's not what i want to do. I just don't know how else to prepare, except to start drawing back from the relationship now -- kind of draw out the pain over time so it won't come in one fell swoop.

Please help!