I look at my therapist's and psychiatrist's absences a little differently. They need time away from me (and all their patients/clients) because their jobs are very stressful and if they get no real break, that's not good for either them or me. At our last session before they leave I smile. Tell them I'm going to miss them. I tell them to have a restful vacation. And tell them I'll be just fine. Even if I don't think I'll be fine, the power of saying I can be ok for a week or two under my own guidance is very empowering. If I have a rough patch, I write to them and save the essay. When they come back I ask politely about their vacations and then I fill them in on what has happened to me. Sometimes I read to them my essays. We move on from there. It's a formula that helps me feel like I'm not dependent. I treat their absence as an opportunity to show them I'm growing...even if sometimes it's not great. Of course I miss them a lot but practicing being on my own is very freeing.