Farewell: To leave is to die a little bit¹

This year I turned 77. In earnest, and cognizant of its meaning, I am stepping down as the Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Psychotherapy (AJP). My decision is a voluntary one since there are no term limits at the Journal. In fact, since its inception in 1947, all my predecessors have died in the saddle, as it were. I want to dismount—gracefully—while I still can.

The American Journal of Psychotherapy was originally a publication for the physician-psychoanalyst members of the Association for the Advancement of Psychotherapy. Since I took the helm in 1995, the Journal’s reach has expanded, and with its trans-theoretical standing, now represents psychotherapists of all persuasions. To date, AJP still remains the only vehicle for transmitting such a vision.

During my tenure, I was privileged to recruit and work with a highly prestigious national and international Editorial Board, comprised of a veritable “Who’s Who” in the field of psychotherapy. Our Board has helped the Journal develop worldwide intellectual cross-fertilization.

In 2001 the American Psychiatric Association’s Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research merged with AJP. Its illustrious editors, Drs. Jerald Kay and Allan Tasman, joined Dr. Salvatore Lomonaco as Associate Editors of the American Journal of Psychotherapy, thus enriching the Journal by broadening its scope to include papers on psychotherapy research and empirically driven, evidence-based studies.

These are financially difficult times for independent journals, such as ours, that cater to niche markets. The Journal has evolved from being a primarily member-supported publication into one supported by institutional subscribers. Journals that are affiliated with large associations have member dues to maintain their publications. Some other independent journals are heavily subsidized by advertisements or financial supplements from pharmaceutical companies. At AJP we have neither such a captive audience nor do we accept any advertisements. In spite of that, we have survived 65 years.

In my last written words as Editor-in-Chief, I would like to express my gratitude to the outstanding members of the Board, the Associate Editors, and the loyal and gifted staff, Tina M. Bonanno, Publication Manager, and Angela Grosso-Toscano, Publication Assistant, for their hard work, devotion and intellectual integrity.

I leave AJP with highly competent and enthusiastic new leaders: Bruce J. Schwartz, M.D., as Editor-in-Chief and Scott Wetzler, Ph.D., as Deputy Editor. I am confident that their stewardship will enable AJP to continue its evolution. The ever-mutating standards of health industries, culture, and philosophy will demand that our Journal’s leaders bring a new perspective and take the Journal to new heights.

I now become Editor Emeritus and appreciate that my role will be limited to receiving a complimentary copy of the Journal that I will read and enjoy without the typical editorial angst. As I take my leave, I know I will occasionally have complex feelings associated with my fond proprietary attachment to the Journal. In fact, to leave is a little bit of dying; so, I’ll experience my “little death” and mourn my losses. “All things must pass”³ sang George Harrison. Well, the reins have now passed to younger riders. Now it’s time to bid farewell and ponder the not so subliminal meaning behind all those equestrian metaphors.