[purple orchid]

I've been in therapy for nearly three years.
I feel like it should be coming to an end and I've heard people mention closure sessions on here before.
Sorry if it's a silly question but what generally happens in closure sessions?

[sweepy62]

I had a closure session once and one comming up in 3 weeks. For me it involved our work together, our happy moments stressful moments ect.. making sure my coping strategies were in place, warm moments together shared tears hugs.

[Raging Quiet]

Not a silly question!

In a few of mine in the past, weve spoken about what I've learned about myself and therapy, any goals met and my t was more relaxed on both occasions. We hugged goodbye to.

I had a couple of final sessions with my exT; she asked me not to bring up any new stuff (not that I would have anyway), and she summarised what she thought were the most important changes that had happened since I started coming to see her. I had very little to say, but it was interesting to hear her thoughts on the subject. It was not the end of a long therapy - about 20 sessions over a period of 8 months. And she said that I could always choose to come back if I wanted to, and then we shook hands (which we had not done since the first session).

[Webgoji]

Do closure sessions happen when your T feels you're good to go? I've never heard of such a thing. With the three therapists I've had before it was just over one day.

[Auntie2014]

The only closure sessions I have had were when I was in a program run as a non profit. They used a lot of "in training" or intern Ts that needed hours for certification. Most only stayed for the length of time needed to move to next step. When it was time for them to move on a new T was assigned and i had to start all over.

Closure session was intro to new T and so long. Not great.

[RTerroni]

I had a closure session with my Therapist that I saw for 4 years I wrote her a touching note and everything, I tried to hug her at the end but she rejected it and I felt very upset about it

[AllyIsHopeful]

That seems cruel. after 4 years?
Did she say why she felt the need to reject it? Was there ever hugging in the 4 years of seeing each other?

Originally Posted by RTerroni

I had a closure session with my Therapist that I saw for 4 years I wrote her a touching note and everything, I tried to hug her at the end but she rejected it and I felt very upset about it

-Hope

[stopdog]

I would imagine they are very therapist specific.
I have never done one. One day I just told the therapist I am not coming back and then did not.

[RTerroni]

Originally Posted by Hopelessly Hopeful

That seems cruel. after 4 years?
Did she say why she felt the need to reject it? Was there ever hugging in the 4 years of seeing each other?

She told me that she didn't do hugs

[purplemystery]

Thanks for this thread, purple orchid. I have a question for everyone: did your Ts lead this session, or did you lead it? Especially for those whose Ts regularly had you choose what to talk about as part of the therapy?

[RTerroni]

I lead mine, I wanted it to be a wrap up session so I directed it to be so.

Originally Posted by Webgoji

Do closure sessions happen when your T feels you're good to go? I've never heard of such a thing. With the three therapists I've had before it was just over one day.

In my case, I told my T I wanted to quit. She seemed relieved, but I'm sure that if I had wanted to continue I could have.

Originally Posted by purplemystery

Thanks for this thread, purple orchid. I have a question for everyone: did your Ts lead this session, or did you lead it? Especially for those whose Ts regularly had you choose what to talk about as part of the therapy?

T led, as far as I can remember. In most sessions I chose the topic (though she would sometimes pick it up and run off with it) but not in the closing sessions.

[Mactastic]

I'm in the deepest parts (I think) of my therapy right now. I don't know how long I'll be in it but I know we're coming to some really important realizations. Termination gets me all balled up. My fears/anxieties about it started 2 months in (i'm at 6 months now.) My T and I talk about it a lot. To try to calm my fears he's told me two things that helped.

Some people can terminate in one session easily. Others (like me) develop a bond with their T in which the relationship was intrinsic to the healing (for example, I came because I have social anxiety and I really struggle to make friends and be emotionally intimate.) He explained that for these people, termination takes a long time by comparison. Sometimes several sessions, even over the course of months (say, 1 session a month for 2 months.) He says that during this transition period I might freak out and say "not yet" because I am in control of the ending. But he gently reminds me that therapy will not and can not last forever.

He also told me that when my time comes it might be helpful to make something together (but he never said what that meant ( dying to know what that looks like) or exchange very small, meaningful gifts.

I had no idea I would get attached to my T, as this is my first go at therapy. This attachment has been the most difficult aspect of therapy for me.

I think what I'm trying to say is that not everyone will have a single closure session. It seems to me that mine will take several weeks and my T has assured me that's okay for some people.