Abstract
The purpose of this research was to explore the meaning of the end of the
therapeutic relationship from the therapist’s perspective. It firstly explored the
therapist’s view of time limitation and its possible impact on the end of the
relationship. Secondly the study looked at the therapist’s experience of planned
and unplanned endings and the personal processes involved therein. Thirdly the
study examined the therapist’s experience of recognising cues from the client that
the end may be in sight. Finally the study explored the therapist’s personal
relationship with loss and whether that has an effect on how they manage the
ending. A qualitative approach was used in order to explore in depth, the real life
experience of the participants. A sample of five psychotherapists, two male and
three female, with at least five years post accreditation experience was selected.
The research questions (See Appendix 1) were designed to allow open ended
responses and the tone of the interviews was informal and conversational in
nature. The interviews were transcribed and a thematic analysis approach was
used to inductively identify themes in order to report the findings. In general the
findings of this research were reflective of the themes in the existing literature.
The existing literature is largely from the Psychoanalytical or existential
perspective, with very little empirical studies from the Psychodynamic or
Integrative paradigms. It was found that the existing literature is mainly focussed
on the client’s experience and what processes may be evident in the client at the
end of the relationship. The literature lacked in the area of the experience of the
Therapist. The therapist’s countertransference, its impact on the ending was
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reflective of the existing literature to some small extent. Also reflective of the
existing literature was the importance of the therapist’s relationship with personal
and universal loss and the impact that may have on the ending. A
recommendation was made for training institutes to incorporate the exploration of
the meaning of the end of the therapeutic relationship from the therapist’s
perspective, and the importance of attending to countertransference and the
processing of unresolved personal loss for the therapist. Further research was
suggested into the meaning of the ending from the Psychodynamic and Integrative
therapist’s perspective. Specifically, the countertransference issues that may arise
in the therapist due to unresolved loss should be highlighted.
