[LonesomeTonight]

Curious as to what other people's T's say when they're leaving. Marriage counselor generally shakes our hands and says "It was good to see you," then often will say, "Take care," as we're walking out the door. I reply "You too" to both. It's a fairly expected exchange, though sometimes he won't say the first part if we're still talking while shaking hands.

T (formerly known as T2) seems like he uses a random parting phrase generator. The very first time, he said "It was good to see you." Since then, his parting phrases have included,

• "Have a good week" Me: "You too!
• "Good luck out there!" Me: Thanks!
• "Hope you don't have any more indoor pool incidents" (related to something from session) Me, laughing: Thanks!
• "Stay warm and dry!" (was a cold day that looked like rain) Me: You too!
• "Enjoy!" Me: Uh...you too? (that was from yesterday, though he had just said it was still Thanksgiving weekend, so perhaps he was referencing that).

He does always shake my hand, it's just the actual comments that vary.

So wondering if other people's T's have a set thing they say or it varies, too?

[lucozader]

T(wat) pretty much always said "take care" as I walked out of the door.

T2, actually I'm not sure. I think he just says... goodbye?

We usually chat as I leave. On Wednesday he said "you're probably going to get rained on by beech leaves" and usually "see you next week, bye" occasionally "take care" (especially if the session has been difficult).

[ElectricManatee]

She either says "take care" or "see you soon." I don't think there is any rhyme or reason to which she says when. I'm impressed that you can remember what he says so specifically!

[ruh roh]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think she says take care. Sometimes, she will say a word or two about her availability (or lack thereof) before my next session and that it's okay to email regardless.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by ElectricManatee

She either says "take care" or "see you soon." I don't think there is any rhyme or reason to which she says when. I'm impressed that you can remember what he says so specifically!

I have a particularly good memory for things people say (auditory memory, I guess?)--it's actually something that T commented on recently. I think his parting words have stuck with me because they are more unusual, like the "Good luck out there."

I don't think ex-T had a particular thing she said...just something generic like "See you next week" and sometimes "take care." So it didn't stick out in my mind. With MC, I remember because it always feels/felt nice to hear him say that--and he still said it the couple sessions where we first addressed the transference, so it maintained a sense of normalcy, like nothing had changed. But then, times when he didn't say it for whatever reason, it can be kind of like, "Oh...why didn't he say it this time?" When it was probably no particular reason. And he hasn't shaken hands with us in the past few sessions because he's been getting over a cold, so he only said it maybe one of those times.

So maybe it's good that T varies it, since then I don't expect a particular thing. (I kinda doubt he put that much thought behind it, but maybe?)

[atisketatasket]

They’ve been all over the place, generally of the take care/see you soon variety. Except DBC, who always said “looking forward to next time” in a tone that indicated the exact opposite (bad actors should not be therapists).

If I were a therapist, I would go all Edward R. Murrow and say “Good night, and good luck.” Or I’d adapt Dennis Miller and say, “that’s the session and you’re outta here.”

For me it was never really formal. I usually continued some form of conversation (either about what was on in the session, or something else not too important) until the very moment I was out of the door. Sometimes we said nothing else, or a quick "bye", or "have a good week", or "see you". It usually felt natural, like at the end of any meeting.

[ruh roh]

This isn't an at-the-door parting comment, but my favorite session ending comment was, It looks like we'll have to say goodbye for now." Usually, I see the clock and wrap up on my own, mainly because I don't like to feel pushed out. If it doesn't come from me, though, I like this way to wrap up.

LT, it sounds like your therapist says things that are relevant to the moment or to session. He pays attention.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by ruh roh

This isn't an at-the-door parting comment, but my favorite session ending comment was, It looks like we'll have to say goodbye for now." Usually, I see the clock and wrap up on my own, mainly because I don't like to feel pushed out. If it doesn't come from me, though, I like this way to wrap up.

LT, it sounds like your therapist says things that are relevant to the moment or to session. He pays attention.

I like the "Looks like we'll have to say goodby for now" comment.

And yes, that is one thing I've noticed about current T--he seems to really be paying attention to what I'm saying and feeling. He's very engaged and seems present the whole time (well, with a few minor exceptions, like when he was scheduling a worker to fix the roof, and the guy texted to say he was about to come in then, in the middle of my session, and T had to be like, "No, not now!"). Which I really appreciate.

[Demunie]

T usually says something about the lines of... "until next (weekday), see you soon"

I often wonder if he says that to make sure I come back

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

They’ve been all over the place, generally of the take care/see you soon variety. Except DBC, who always said “looking forward to next time” in a tone that indicated the exact opposite (bad actors should not be therapists).

If I were a therapist, I would go all Edward R. Murrow and say “Good night, and good luck.” Or I’d adapt Dennis Miller and say, “that’s the session and you’re outta here.”

Maybe my T is inspired by Murrow with his whole "Good luck out there" (which he's said a few times).

[Out There]

Both my T's use quite generic phrases like " Have a good two weeks " or " Enjoy the two weeks ". Maybe I'd like something deeply profound or in Latin though ?
Murrow's " Good luck Out There " would be perfect for me clearly !

[zoiecat]

Mt T usually something along the lines of "be safe" or 'stay safe". I usually say "see yah". Occasionally there will be some comments about the weather or some upcoming issue I will be dealing with.

[stopdog]

Nothing that I know of. She might murmur goodbye but I think the woman finally stopped doing it. I don't usually say any ending thing myself. It is over - I leave. That is it.

[Salmon77]

My T asks: "See you on the ___?" (the date of my next appointment).

[MrsDuckL]

I always know our time is up when my therapist shifts his body forward in the chair with his hands on his knees, I then do the same. So I get up and usually make some minor comment (usually for some reason, it’s me apologizing for his coffee getting cold, to which he always replies that he prefers if that way.) But he then always asks “next week?” And I always say yes, or the few times I had to change my date around—then I confirm the new date for that week. I think at that point I think my therapist wishes me a good week or good weekend and that he will see me next week.

No idea. We tended to walk out to the main desk together and converse along the way about whatever. No particular pat last line that I can remember.

[atisketatasket]

Originally Posted by LonesomeTonight

Maybe my T is inspired by Murrow with his whole "Good luck out there" (which he's said a few times).

I thought he might be alluding to the Wes Anderson fox movie.

Originally Posted by Out There

Both my T's use quite generic phrases like " Have a good two weeks " or " Enjoy the two weeks ". Maybe I'd like something deeply profound or in Latin though ?
Murrow's " Good luck Out There " would be perfect for me clearly !

Try “extra bonam fortunam!” Which not only says “good luck out there” in Latin but to an English speaker suggests “extra good luck.”

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

I thought he might be alluding to the Wes Anderson fox movie.

That would make sense. He seems a bit of a hipster.

[awkwardlyyours]

I feel a bit sorry for current T -- I gave her a hard time (during our many ruptures) about cutting me short on time.

So, ever since, she goes out of her way to make sure that she dawdles a bit over the writing out of my receipt and so on. Usually, we'll continue with the session for a bit (although since she's absolutely terrible at multi-tasking -- if we talk about anything remotely substantive, she's bound to get the date or something else wrong in the receipt and then will get all flustered about it -- I try to keep quiet) and she'll just say something like "See you....(next session day)" and then just 'Bye'.

I notice that she has a different ending style with different clients though. Not sure what that says.

[growlycat]

Sometimes “keep being awesome”

Sometimes “take care” or have a good week

[Nammu]

My T usually said "see you on (day of the week)"

[chihirochild]

My t often says "good to see you" or "see you Thursday [or whenever]" and I respond "you too" or "see you then."

My pdoc *always* says "good to see you!" And then I look at him like he has lost his g*dd*amn mind and shut the door behind myself.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by growlycat

Sometimes “keep being awesome”

Sometimes “take care” or have a good week

Aw, I like, "Keep being awesome"!