title: Termination in group psychotherapy from the perspectives of contemporary object relations theory and self psychology.
abstract: Throughout the development of object relations theory and self psychology, the importance of attachments, availability, absences, limitations, and endings have been factors that have informed theory and practice. This article examines the multiple meanings and impacts of terminations in group psychotherapy at the intrapsychic, interpersonal, and group-as-a-whole levels, from the perspective of contemporary object relations theory and self psychology. Emphasis is placed on the initiation of a mourning process, with the dynamics of guilt, shame, and aggression toward objects who are separate or inaccessible, and the experience of a shortcoming or absence, associated with a loss of self-object oneness, soothing, and idealization from the narcissistic sector of the personality. Therapeutic opportunities afforded by terminations and the importance of resolving countertransference reactions are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA.
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Schermer
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003379:Countertransference; D004532:Ego; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group