It's funny you mention that as I thought about whether to use those words or not and then deliberately wrote them. I think using those words was a way to honor our relationship. No, the T relationship is not a romantic relationship, but it is indeed very special and those words are appropriate for a special relationship like that (at least for me).

This is a good question and I think the way I want to end it is "not on the spot" as I had that impulse to do last session. When the time comes, I will be more intentional and thoughtful. I hope! I terminated therapy with my first therapist (the one before this one) very accidentally. A session just ended up being our last one, with no forethought or intention. So I never said "bye" or "thanks" or "it's been helpful (or not helpful)" or anything. I think I was so caught up in my own problems at the time that I just didn't think much about ending therapy. We were not close and I just let it slide because it was not helping me anymore. I think back on it now and see it was rude to do that. I wish I had been more intentional.

Really good point, again. I have traditionally not good at loss but I think I have gotten better more recently. (I think moving through "the end" with my father, who died this summer, was something that helped me "rise to the occasion" and help create an end that was pretty good...." I don't think I'm there yet (to the end) with my T, but I want to do better than I did with my last therapist, and the experience with my father will help, I think.

Anne, thank you for your thoughtful response.