My experience with retiring t:

When my exT announced that he was going to retire, I pretty much freaked out. He gave lots of notice, was more than willing for me to come in, session after session, and berate him and talk about how he was hurting me and try to figure out some way to get him to continue to see me. This went on for months. I thought that I needed to see it through, as I have been pretty successful at running from hurtful things in the past. However, eventually he agreed that each session was just re-traumatizing me and that it made sense to terminate. I came for one last session-I did some testing with him prior to this decision and I wanted to hear what he had to say about the testing. My last session was spent talking about the testing. At the end, he asked if this was my last session, I told him yes. That was it.

I found a new T who has been immensely, hugely more helpful. After about 6 months, I called exT, asked some questions that were still rattling around in my head. After about 12 months, I learned that he had not yet retired (despite his plan to do so)-and I was actually happy that I had stopped with him when I did because new T was/is so much better for me.

For me, it was helpful to ride the anger ala Una to be done with the relationship. I think it is only natural to start pulling away when t announces they are "leaving". I don't know that there is a right way to do this-I do know that it is very painful and confusing. Especially with him seeming disconnected lately.

I hope a course becomes clear to you.