Good Goodbyes

Good Goodbyes is a concise resource on therapy termination. Organized in a Q&A format, this book works through the phases of psychotherapy, identifying warning signs of premature endings and helpful techniques to support treatment.

Good Goodbyes offers a comprehensive model for ending therapy well. Bad "goodbyes" in therapy can contribute to therapist burnout and pessimism regarding the efficacy of therapy. Within the framework of the therapeutic relationship and a clearly articulated set of goals for therapy, Jack Novick and Kerry Kelly Novick describe how to recognize and respond to termination themes from the very beginning of treatment. Each phase of treatment brings its own challenges, as well as the risk of premature ending by patient or therapist. Each chapter in this book addresses specific danger signals to look out for and helpful techniques to support treatment. Organized in a pedagogical question-and-answer formant and with vivid clinical examples from all diagnostic groups and all stages of development, Good Goodbyes is a fundamental text on termination for psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapists.
New to this Second Edition:
New preface by the authors discussing updated content and outlining the book format, for pedagogical useUpdated organization for course usage and flow of Socratic question dialogueUpdated terminologyThematic application to practicing psychologists, psychotherapists, psychoanalysts, therapists, and counselors, and their relationships with clients as well as students and traineesExamination of the micro-terminations and transitions at each treatment stage