On the Criteria for the Termination of a Psycho-Analysis

3 The criteria for the ending of an analysis are an important problem in every psycho-analyst’s mind. There are a number of criteria on which all of us would agree. Here I shall suggest a different approach to this problem. It has often been observed that the termination of an analysis reactivates in the patient earlier situations of parting, and is in the nature of a weaning experience. This implies, as my work has shown me, that the emotions felt by the baby at weaning time, when early infantile conflicts come to a head, are strongly revived towards the end of an analysis. Accordingly, I arrived at the conclusion that before terminating an analysis I have to ask myself whether the conflicts and anxieties experienced during the first year of life have been sufficiently analysed and worked through in the course of the treatment. The criteria for the ending of an analysis are an important problem in every psycho-analyst’s mind. There are a number of eriteria on which all ofus would agree. Here I shall suggest a different appmoach to this problem