Establishing an appropriate termination remains one of the most fundamental aspects of therapy. According to Jakobsons et al., (2007), termination comes after goals are accomplished, the treatment duration elapses, and when the symptoms reduce. The process of termination follows three critical stages. The first one involves the gauging of readiness for the said termination. Group therapies can only be terminated if they have achieved all the objectives outlined in the treatment plan. The therapists should also look for signs that point out to a patient’s readiness for termination. Some of the examples of these signs include the reduction in symptoms and the ability to cope without serious treatment or supervision. The second step in the termination process requires the therapist to review the gains made in treatment. Some of the gains can take the shape of improved relationships, a positive body image, and decreased symptom severity. The termination process will end with the creation of a mental health maintenance model. The aim of this step is to manage the risk of relapse and the positive maintenance of patient health heading into the future. The therapist will ensure that the clients appreciate potential triggers and warning signs where they will be needed to cope or return to the therapy (Successful Therapy Termination).
The therapists must make necessary arrangements to plan for the termination. As such, this ensures that the clients understand that group therapy is a time-limited process and therefore working towards a speedy recovery should be taken into consideration. Thus, the clients know that the therapy process will not proceed forever. By preparing for termination, the therapist is in a position to set expectations for the patient. It also allows the accumulation of all the required resources and tools needed for successful therapy. Other than the expectations, it also allows the therapists and the clients to come up with goals that that can be completed within the amount of time available for the therapy. Planning for termination is also essential for time management and ensuring that all areas of therapy are including within the fixed time (Successful Therapy Termination).
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During termination, several challenges can emerge both from the side of the client and the part of the therapist. The first issue that could arise regards the failure of the client to fulfill their contractual obligations. For instance, a breach in contractual obligations can occur when the client fails to pay as earlier agreed. Another common challenge that occurs during the termination is when the goals have not been met despite completion of the process within the available time. In this regards, the client cannot account for their time in the therapy. In some instances, the clients can also express a sense of anxiety or fear that they are the ones responsible for the termination of the therapy (Utz, 2016). In some instances, termination can end unethically due to conflict between the two parties. To avoid breach in contractual obligations by the client such as nonpayment, a binding legal document signed by an attorney should be used to enhance compliance. In preventing the failure to achieve the goals, ample time should be allocated for each objective and the clients must honor all their meetings (Utz, 2016). The therapists should also work on their competency. Avoiding conflicts and unethical issues arising during termination require full disclosure at the beginning and the signing of an informed consent that will be binding to both parties.
Termination Session Plan
The clients will be given a questionnaire that will assess the following:
Experiences of the Group
What was your experience being a member of this group?
State the most helpful and the least beneficial aspect of this group?
Has this group assisted you in learning anything about yourself?
As you take time to reflect on your time here, what has been the most memorable moment here?
Is there anything you would wish to add on top of what we already know?
Feelings about Termination
What do others feeling about the group therapy sessions ending?
What are your feelings regarding the ending of group therapy?
Would you have loved the therapy sessions to have proceeded longer?
The second section will be reserved for the therapist to make the final judgment on each client:
Member Feedback
My concern for you is that…?
My hope for you is that…?
I would like you to remember that…?
The section will outline to the clients what to do in case they are required for a follow-up or a continuation of the therapy in the future.
The “experiences of the group” will significantly help in the termination process. Through it, the therapist will learn a host of aspects of the client’s experience. It will also uncover any new things that the clients have learned including their feelings and attitudes. It can also be used to discover any additional information that the client might not have stated. The “feelings about termination” will help in identifying what the client perceives of the termination process. It can also be used to gauge their level of satisfaction and whether they would have wanted the therapy to last longer than it did. The “member feedback” session will be used by the therapist to outline any concerns and hopes for the client. Lastly, a section should be included to enlighten the clients on what to do should a follow-up session be needed.
References
Jakobsons, L. J., Brown, J. S., Gordon, K. H., & Joiner, T. E. (2007). When are clients ready to terminate? Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 14(2), 218-230.
Successful Therapy Termination https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-guide/successful-therapy-termination
Utz, M. (2016). When a therapist leaves a client: Closing the therapeutic relationship effectively. https://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1687&context=msw_papers
