I have often worked with someone in therapy for several years. The standard was always three years, these days many are looking for something much quicker, it’s a clinical dilemma. But regardless, the end of any process is a delicate time. Freud prepared us to expect the ‘negative therapeutic reaction’ a period where the issues presenting at the start of therapy appear to have returned. More commonly, I have observed, is a reluctance to leave.
Many patients over the years have echoed to me, in one way or another, Guillaume’s profound poem ‘Come to the Edge’. So much can be understood from it about the human predicaments of dependency, attachment, individuation, separation, liberation. In therapy, all must be allowed and respected.
But life is an edge state. An uncertainty. A doubt. Further in, may feel safe, appear safe, sound safe, but seldom is it living. Too safe, is no life at all. No, life is an edge, it’s where we learn to fly. And yes, on occasions we do need someone to do the pushing
“Come to the edge,” he said.
“We can’t, we’re afraid!” they responded.
“Come to the edge,” he said.
“We can’t, We will fall!” they responded.
“Come to the edge,” he said.
And so they came.
And he pushed them.
And they flew.”
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